A levee is a natural or artificial embankment that parallels a river, preventing the river from flooding the adjacent land. Natural levees form during flood events when sediment is deposited along the river’s edges, while artificial levees are constructed to protect against flooding. Levees are significant in flood management and the study of fluvial processes.
Reference: Smith, N. D. (1986). “River Levees.” In: Richards, K. S. (Ed.), River Channels: Environment and Process. Blackwell, pp. 391-433.