Levee

Revision as of 16:23, 30 June 2021

The International Levee Handbook, published by CIRIA in 2013, defines levee as: Raised, predominantly earth, structures (sometimes called flood defence embankments or dikes) whose primary objective is to provide protection against fluvial and coastal flood events along coasts, rivers and artificial waterways that are not reshaped under normal conditions by the action of waves and currents. Levees form part of flood defence systems that may also include flood walls, pumping stations, closure structures, natural features, etc.

A levee is also sometimes referred to as a floodbank or stopbank. Levees can be permanent structures, such as those built from cement, or temporary structures which might be made from stone, earth or sandbags.

In Ancient Egypt, levees were used along the Nile to protect the surrounding valleys. They were also used in other Ancient cultures.

Outside of engineering applications, the terms levee and dyke are sometimes used interchangeably. In the state of Louisiana (which is vulnerable to flooding of rivers prompted by hurricanes), the term levee is most frequently used. In the lowlands of the Netherlands (which have been reclaimed from the sea), dyke is the common term.

See dyke.

Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Coastal defences.
• Dyke
• Flood.
• River engineering.
• The history of conservation areas
• Water engineering.
• Waterway.