Glossary

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A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q R S T U V W Z

Glossary terms for letter: B

Backshore:

That zone of the shore or beach lying between the foreshore and the coastline and acted upon by waves only during severe storms, especially when combined with exceptionally high water.

Backwater Effect:

The rise in water surface elevationcaused by some obstruction such as a narrowbridge opening, buildings or fill material that limitsthe area through which the water must flow. Alsoreferred to as 'heading up.'

Base Flood:

A term used in the National FloodInsurance Program to indicate the minimum sizeflood to be used by a community as a basis for itsfloodplain management regulations; presentlyrequired by regulation to be that flood which has aone-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded inany given year. Also known as a 100-year flood orone-percent chance flood.

Base Flood Elevation (BFE):

The elevation for whichthere is a one-percent chance in any given year thatflood levels will equal or exceed it. The BFE isgenerally based on statistical analysis of streamflow records for the watershed and rainfall andrunoff characteristics in the general region of thewatershed, and application of hydraulic backwatermodels.

Base Floodplain:

The floodplain that would beinundated by a one-percent chance (100-year) flood.

Basin:

The total area from which surface runoff iscarried away by a drainage system. Othercomparable terms are 'drainage area,' 'catchmentarea,' and 'watershed.'

Beach profile:

A side view of the zone along the shoreline that extends landward from the water's edge to the toe of a dune or bluff.

Breakwater:

A structure protecting a shore area, harbor, anchorage or basin from waves.

Building Code:

The regulations adopted by a localgoverning body setting forth standards for theconstruction, addition, modification and repair ofbuildings and other structures for the purpose ofprotecting the health, safety, and general welfare ofthe public.

Bulkhead:

A structure or partition to retain or prevent sliding of the land. A secondary purpose is to protect the upland against damage from wave action.

Buttress Retaining Wall:

A buttress retaining wall is similar to a T Wall, except that it is used where the stem of the wall is long. To reduce stresses in the stem, it contains buttresses at intervals along the wall to tie the stem and base slab together.