Indiana Construction of Channels Act Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions for Developers and Consultants

Indiana Construction of Channels Act Key Terms & Definitions

Acquired Lands: Lands that were previously administered by another Federal agency and have been transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for operation and maintenance of a specified civil works project.

Bankfull Discharge: The stream flow having a recurrence interval of 1.5 years, often considered to be the channel-forming or effective discharge.

Bed Material: The sediment mixture of which a streambed is composed.

Channel: The bed and banks that confine the surface flow of a stream; the course where a natural stream of water runs, or used to run, as a river, brook, etc.

Channel Capacity: The maximum flow that can pass through a channel without overflowing onto the floodplain.

Channel Geometry: The measurable aspects of channel size and shape, including width, mean depth, maximum depth, wetted perimeter, and hydraulic radius.

Channel Improvement: The improvement of the flow characteristics of a channel by clearing, excavating, or other means to increase its capacity for carrying water.

Channel Morphology: The physical features of a stream channel, including its size, shape, slope, and patterns of erosion and deposition.

Dredging: The removal of sediment or other material from the bottom of a waterbody to improve navigation or to obtain bottom materials for other uses.

Flood Control: The modification of a waterway either structurally or non-structurally to reduce the frequency of floods.

Floodway: The channel of a river or stream and the parts of the floodplain adjoining the channel that are reasonably required to efficiently carry and discharge the flood water or flood flow of a river or stream.

Hydraulic Geometry: The relationships between the physical dimensions of a stream channel and the flow characteristics of the stream.

Indiana Construction of Channels Act (ICCA): A state law in Indiana that regulates the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of channels within the state.

Levee: An embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river or other body of water.

Meander: A bend in a sinuous watercourse or river.

Navigable Waters: Waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide and/or are presently used, or have been used in the past, or may be susceptible for use to transport interstate or foreign commerce.

Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM): The line on the shore established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics such as a clear, natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of soil, destruction of terrestrial vegetation, the presence of litter and debris, or other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas.

Permit: A written authorization issued by a governmental agency that allows a specific activity to be conducted in compliance with applicable regulations.

Riparian: Of, relating to, or located on the banks of a river or stream.

Sediment: Fragmented material that originates from weathering of rocks and is transported by, suspended in, or deposited by water.

Sediment Transport: The movement of solid particles (sediment), typically due to a combination of gravity acting on the sediment and/or the movement of the fluid in which the sediment is entrained.

Stream: A body of running water moving under gravity flow through clearly defined natural channels and transporting water and materials from a definite upstream source or origin to a definite downstream point or destination.

Streambank: The portion of the channel cross section that restricts lateral movement of water at normal water levels.

Streambed: The bottom of the stream channel, or the physical confine of the normal water flow.

Water Resources: The supply of groundwater and surface water in a given area.

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A Note to Our Readers: We hope this guide is a valuable resource in helping you better understand the . However, it's not a substitute for professional advice and doesn't cover every scenario. Always consult with regulatory bodies and professionals for the most current advice and project-specific guidance.