A levee is a raised structure or embankment that is built along a river or coastline to prevent flooding. It works like a barrier, keeping the water from overflowing onto nearby areas. Full definition
There is a safe exit to a secure area of the roof — a feature that needs no explanation for longtime Lower Ninth Ward residents like Green, who lost both his mother and his three - year - old granddaughter in 20 - foot - high floodwaters after the Industrial Canal levee broke in the wake of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005. (news.nationalgeographic.com)
The Corps of Engineers also later opened the Bonnet Carré and Morganza spillways in Louisiana to ease pressure on the New Orleans levee system. (sciencedaily.com)
Nearly 70 percent of the roughly 30,000 miles of levees in the U.S. are not trusted by government flood officials to hold back floodwaters (scientificamerican.com)