Where a portion of a stream was dammed so that it could act as a canal. Slackwater was used where a canal had to cross a river, stream or lake. If navigation across a slackwater area would be difficult since canal boats had no form of propulsion an aqueduct over the obstruction was often built. In other areas of slackwater all that would be needed was a towpath built across the top of the dam.

Floodwater with little or no velocity. Slackwater is formed when water in creeks, streams, and rivers backs up into low terrain, creating a temporary ponding condition.

Refers to areas with slower moving flood waters associated with cataclysmic flooding (i.e., backflooded valleys and valley margins) where fine-grained sediment (mostly sand* and silt*) was deposited.