Flooding is a natural process that is a necessary component to the survival and health of many types of ecosystems. The processes and conditions that result in floods are often predictable and usually occur in the same areas, known as floodplains. Unfortunately people are often drawn to inhabit and develop in floodplains as this is usually flat, fertile land. Because of this, floods are one of the most common natural hazards in Newfoundland and Labrador and are often the most costly. Floods can cause considerable damage to property and infrastructure, threaten human lives and cost millions in emergency assistance, clean-up and remediation.

Flooding and erosion processes are quite difficult to control and avoid. As such, the best and most cost effective method of minimizing their impact is proper management and planning of known floodplains. Floodplain management usually involves the adoption of land use regulations that limit human exposure to areas prone to flooding events. For more information on the Government’s approach to management of identified flood zones see the Policy for Flood Plain Management.