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

To remember the meaning of the term Levee, use the following mnemonic:

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.