Definitions
- Referring to a barrier built across a river or stream to hold back water and create a reservoir. - Describing a structure used to control the flow of water, prevent flooding, or generate hydroelectric power. - Talking about a wall or embankment built to contain or divert water for irrigation or other purposes.
- Referring to an embankment built along a river or other body of water to prevent flooding. - Describing a raised area of land used to confine water to a particular area for irrigation or other purposes. - Talking about a natural or man-made ridge or bank that separates a river from its floodplain.
List of Similarities
- 1Both dams and levees are structures used to control water.
- 2Both can be used to prevent flooding.
- 3Both can be man-made or natural.
- 4Both can be used for irrigation or other purposes.
- 5Both can be used to generate hydroelectric power.
What is the difference?
- 1Purpose: Dams are primarily used to hold back water and create a reservoir, while levees are designed to prevent flooding by confining water to a particular area.
- 2Construction: Dams are typically large, concrete structures built across a river or stream, while levees are earthen embankments built along the banks of a river or other body of water.
- 3Function: Dams are used to store water for various purposes, such as drinking water, irrigation, or hydroelectric power generation, while levees are used to protect against flooding and to direct water to specific areas for irrigation.
- 4Size: Dams are generally much larger than levees and can span entire rivers or valleys, while levees are smaller and built along the banks of rivers or other bodies of water.
- 5Location: Dams are usually located in remote areas, away from populated areas, while levees are often built in urban or suburban areas to protect against flooding.
Remember this!
Dam and levee are both structures used to control water, but they differ in their purpose, construction, function, size, and location. A dam is a large, concrete structure built across a river or stream to hold back water and create a reservoir, while a levee is an earthen embankment built along the banks of a river or other body of water to prevent flooding and direct water to specific areas for irrigation.