Coastal and Floodplain Construction Inspector's Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of a floodway?

1. To support recreational activities

2. To control the discharge of the base flood

3. To create natural wildlife habitats

4. To serve as a construction site

The correct answer is: To control the discharge of the base flood

The primary purpose of a floodway is to control the discharge of the base flood. This is crucial for flood management and community safety. A floodway is a designated area that is kept open or clear to allow the flow of floodwaters during periods of high water, ensuring that these waters can move freely and reducing the risk of flooding in surrounding areas. By managing the flow and direction of floodwaters, floodways help protect properties, infrastructure, and human life from the damaging effects of flooding. Other options, while they may have some relevance to floodplain management, do not capture the main objective of a floodway. Supporting recreational activities or creating natural wildlife habitats can indeed be benefits of areas adjacent to floodways, but they are not the primary function. Similarly, using a floodway as a construction site contradicts the purpose of keeping these areas clear for water flow and flood control. Thus, managing the discharge of the base flood stands out as the essential reason for the existence of floodways.