A levee is a human-made or natural elevated barrier built alongside rivers, streams, or coastlines to reduce the risk of flooding in adjacent areas. Its primary purpose is to contain, control, or divert water flow to protect land and communities from temporary flooding events

. Most levees are earthen embankments made from compacted local soil, though they can also include materials like sand, rocks, wood, or concrete, especially in areas where space is limited or stronger protection is needed

. Natural levees form from sediment deposited during floods, creating raised ridges along riverbanks

. Levees vary in height and width depending on expected flood conditions and are often part of larger levee systems that include floodwalls and drainage structures

. While they provide significant flood protection, levees are not fail-proof; they can be overtopped by water exceeding their design capacity or weakened by seepage and erosion, potentially leading to breaches and severe flooding

. In summary, levees are critical flood control structures designed to protect land from flooding by acting as barriers to rising water, but they require careful monitoring and maintenance to ensure their effectiveness and safety