The floodplain

Look at the wide flat area on either side of the river. In winter the river often floods over its banks and the water spreads out on the floodplain. Any load the river is carrying is deposited on the floodplain when the flood retreats. This means that the soil on the floodplain is very deep and fertile, although the ground is usually rather wet and marshy.

Farmers often use the floodplain to graze animals in summer, or they may drain the marshy land and use it to grow crops.