Overwash is the flow of water and sediment over the crest of the beach that does not directly return to the water body (such as ocean, sea, bay or lake; hereafter, ocean) where it originated after water level fluctuations return to normal. There are two kinds of overwash: overwash by runup and overwash by inundation.

Washover is the sediment deposited inland of a beach by overwash. Washover can be deposited onto the berm crest or as far as the back barrier bay, estuary, or lagoon.

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