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Annual patterns in hydrology, phosphorus circulation, and sediment dynamics were studies in a southern Illinois, USA floodplain swamp dominated by bald cypress (Taxodium disyichum) and swamp tupelo (Nyssa aquatica). The study emphasized the swamp's interactions with the adjacent river. For the year, major inputs of water to the swamp were throughfall (74.3 cm) and runoff (69.4 cm) with minor contributions due to groundwater (21.6 cm). Outflows were by evapo—transpiration (72.3 cm), surface outflow (56.5 cm), and groundwater (21.0 cm), with the latter two draining primarily to the river. A flood occurred during the study period, passing 1.6 x 10⁷m³ of river water over the swamp and depositing 0.06 cm of sediments. An annual phosphorus budget was developed for the swamp from field measurements. The greatest input of phosphorus to the swamp was 3.6 g P^.m—^2.yr—¹, due to deposition of high …