A levee , levÃ e ( from the feminine past participle of the French verb lever , `` to raise '' ) , floodbank or stopbank is a natural or artificial slope or wall , usually earthen and often parallels the course of a river . A levee , levÃ e , dike ( or dyke ) , embankment , floodbank or stopbank is a natural or artificial slope or wall to regulate water levels . It is usually earthen and often parallel to the course of a river or the coast .