What is a Levee?
A levee is any artificial barrier together with appurtenant works that will divert or restrain the flow of a stream or other body of water for the purpose of protecting an area from inundation by flood waters.
The terms dike and levee have been used interchangeably in Ohio. Historically a dike is used to divert or restain flood water from tidal bodies of water such as the system of dikes which protect the Netherlands. A levee, on the other hand, diverts or restains flood waters from streams and lakes, such as the system of levees which protect cities along the Mississippi River.
How many Levees are there in Ohio?
The number of levees in Ohio has not been accurately determined.
Classification of Levees in Ohio
According to Ohio Administrative Code Rule 1501:21-13-09, levees are classified as follows:
Class I:
probable loss of human life, structural collapse of at least one residence or one commercial or industrial business
Class II:
disruption of a public water supply or wastewater treatment facility, or other health hazards; flooding of residential, commercial, industrial, or publicly owned structures; flooding of high-value property; damage or disruption to major roads including but not limited to interstate and state highways, and the only access to residential or other critical areas such as hospitals, nursing homes, or correctional facilities as determined by the chief; damage or disruption to railroads or public utilities
Class III:
property losses including but not limited to rural buildings not otherwise described in this rule; damage or disruption to local roads including but not limited to roads not otherwise listed as major roads in this rule
Class IV:
a levee having a height of not more than three feet; losses restricted mainly to the levee, owner's property and rural lands