Most major levees protecting urban areas were built to US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) standards. BUTrecent history and the reputation of USACE have lead to the common misconception that areas protected by levees are outside the floodplain... they are not; they are in (the floodplain)! It is important to understand the limitations of levee systems, as they all:

• Are designed to protect against a particular flood level and may be overtopped in more severe events.
• Require comprehensive maintenance programs, which become more of a challenge as the system gets older.
• Involve significant planning and resources to be made ready for flood events.
• May fail to live up to their design standards.

When a levee system fails or is overtopped, the results can be more damaging in the local area than if the levee were not there, due to increased elevation differences and water velocity. Unrealistic expectations of protection also may exist: no levee provides protection from events for which it was not designed, and proper operation and maintenance are necessary to reduce the probability of failure. The levee owner or management company, typically referred to as the "sponsor," is the key to an effective maintenance program. Think of a levee system designed to USACE standards as equivalent to a commercial airliner. Ongoing maintenance and operation are essential, and as the system ages, the challenge increases.

What is a Levee?

The term levee is defined as an embankment whose primary purpose is to furnish flood protection from seasonal high water and which is therefore subject to water loading for periods of only a few days or weeks a year.

Are all Levees the Same?

Levee types are generally categorized by either location or use.

Levee types according to location. Levees are broadly classified according to the area they protect as either urban or agricultural levees because of different requirements for each.

1. Urban levees. Levees that reduce flooding in communities, providing protection for communities; industrial, commercial and residential facilities.

2. Agricultural levees. Levees that provide protection from flooding in lands used for agricultural purposes.

Where are the Protected Areas?

Areas protected by levee systems are not always easily identified. Many levees across the country

• Were built decades ago and form a familiar part of the landscape. In areas without recent flooding, there may be limited knowledge of the system.
• May not be shown on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) as they are typically not considered to be in "Special Flood Hazard Areas" prone to regular flooding.

If you are protected by a levee, what is the concern?

Levee systems are designed to protect against a specific flood level. If the flood level exceeds the level for which the levee was designed, it may fail or be overtopped. It is important to understand what may happen to your property if the levee system fails or is overtopped. You need to be aware of the possibility of flooding, which areas of the community may be flooded, how you will receive notice of impending flooding, and how you should respond if, for any reason, the levee fails to protect you.

The levee may not provide flood protection until certain actions are taken. There is a need for human intervention to make the system work, and this requires advance planning, significant resources, and specific, timely actions to make the levee system ready for a "flood fight". For example, roads and railroads passing through the levee often need to be closed, and utilities may be affected. Disruption of transportation and utilities may force your businesses to close, make it difficult for you to get to work or make your life at home difficult if you have to deal with a loss of utilities.

What can you do to evaluate the risk?

If you know you are located in an area protected by a levee system or are adjacent to a river with a levee system

1. Identify the Sponsor.

2. Attend a Sponsor meeting or make an appointment to ask the sponsor about:

• The areas protected and the level of flooding the levee system is designed to control.
• Historical flood events.
• The overall maintenance status of the levee system.
• The sponsor's readiness for a "flood fight."
• The likely impact of the sponsor's "flood fight" plans on the community.
• The areas most likely to flood if the flood event exceeds the levee design and how much warning the sponsor could provide.
• Whether maintenance funds are adequate, and if not, what steps are taken to ensure continued high-caliber maintenance.

3. Understand the likely impact on your home or business when the system is placed in "flood fight mode" and consider this in your business or home contingency planning.

4. Understand the likely impact on your home or business if the levee is overtopped or fails, and consider this in your business or home contingency planning.

5. Based on your understanding of the risk and your level of confidence in the levee system, you may choose to develop specific emergency plans, or simply make flooding a factor in your overall business and home contingency plans. You may also wish to consider purchasing flood insurance, because homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damages from floods. Business owners and homeowners should discuss flood insurance with their agents or brokers.

What can you do to help?

1.Make yourself aware of your local situation.

2.If you rely on a levee system and its sponsor to protect you from potential flood events, consider working with them to identify opportunities where you and other community members can aid in collaborating with them by supporting their management in obtaining greater resources or manpower to supplement their maintenance or flood fight plans.

Support and information is available at the Flood Risk Education Alliance (FREA) web site, which is accessible throughwww.ibhs.org. The FREA web site provides links to other fine sources of information. In any case, develop a heightened awareness of the residual risk in being behind a levee and work with others in your community to assist the Levee Sponsor in keeping your homes and businesses well protected.