 This paper presents a conceptual model to represent the interactions and feedback loops between hydrological and social processes in settled floodplains and explores the dynamics of the human flood system using this model. The results show that building levees or raising them to protect floodplain areas can reduce the frequency of flooding but exacerbate high water levels, leading to a need for higher flood protection levels by society, which in turn can result in rare and catastrophic events being avoided. This article was authored by G. D. Baldassari, Aviglioni, G. Carr, and others.