What is the primary function of a levee?

The primary function of a levee is to protect land from flooding. Levees are engineered structures typically built along the banks of rivers or flood-prone areas to act as barriers against the overflow of water. By holding back floodwaters, they help to safeguard populated areas, agricultural lands, and critical infrastructure from potential water damage during periods of high water flow, such as during heavy rain or snowmelt.

This protective role is crucial in flood management strategies, particularly in regions where flooding can pose significant risks to life and property. While levees can indirectly facilitate agricultural irrigation by preventing floodwaters from inundating fields, their main purpose remains focused on flood protection. The other potential functions such as providing recreational water access or increasing river flow do not align with the essential life-saving and property-preserving roles that levees serve.