Levee – Embankment alongside a river which may be formed naturally by sediment or built up by people to protect against flooding

Leave these (levees) stones on the bank, they are here to protect us!

House protected by a homemade levee:

Formation of natural levees:

The natural movement of a river can push sediment (small particles carried in the water) to the side, creating a natural levee. The banks of the river become slightly elevated from the riverbed. In some cases, this results in a natural flood barrier.

Artificial levees are usually constructed from soil, sand or rocks. Where the flow of a river is particularly strong, levees may be made of blocks of timber, plastic, or metal.

If an area alongside a river is in particular danger, the levee might be reinforced by concrete.