Flood arch
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Bridge_over_the_Tyne_at_Bywell_-_geograph.org.uk_-_37255.jpg/220px-Bridge_over_the_Tyne_at_Bywell_-_geograph.org.uk_-_37255.jpg)
A flood arch is a small supplemental arch bridge provided alongside a main bridge. It provides extra capacity for floodwater.[1]
The space beneath a flood arch is normally dry and often carries a towpath or similar. In some cases it borders on the shallow edge of a river, but this does not carry substantial flow in normal conditions. A bridge with multiple arches across a flowing river would instead be termed a viaduct.
For some bridges, flood arches were added after the first bridge had been constructed, often after initial flooding.[2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Pant-y-Geotre_Bridge_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1286666.jpg/220px-Pant-y-Geotre_Bridge_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1286666.jpg)
References
- v
- t
- e