The Difference Between Floodwalls, Levees, and Sea Walls

When flood waters start to rise, it’s too late to start thinking about protecting your city, business or home from flooding. That needs to be done long before the flood waters come along. There are many different ways to prevent the damage caused by flooding, and it’s important to know which type of flooding could most impact the area you’re hoping to protect. Fortunately, Permacast Precast Concrete Walls & Fences knows a little bit about floodwalls, levees and seawalls- all common structures in Florida and Texas, where hurricanes and other extreme weather bring plenty of water to major cities and coastal regions. Here’s what we’ve learned that we hope will help you make a wise decision about flood prevention- before it’s too late. 

Floodwalls

Floodwalls are concrete structures designed around a city or major residential area that blocks water from rising and seeping into buildings and other structures. Floodwalls are often built with the integrity of the city in mind, so they don’t distract from the aesthetic or historical value of the area. By building flood walls with precast concrete, they can be made to fit precisely, without having to accommodate the environment as they build. Most importantly, however, are the connectors that bind the sections of wall and create the floodgates that are found periodically spaced down the length of the wall. Floodgates are able to be raised when water needs to be let out of the contained space, thus keeping the area dry and safe. Without precise connectors, these gates would not work properly, or sections of wall could be washed away from the force of running floodwater. Precast concrete connectors are the strongest around and can be made to fit any customized size, ensuring they’ll hold when the time comes. 

Levees

A levee is designed to do a similar job as a floodwall: protect the surrounding area from flooding waters. They are usually found along the banks of rivers, can be natural or man-made, and basically act like a hill to keep water from immediately rising into the local area. However, levees are made from the earth, like a giant hill alongside a river or shoreline. Using soil, grass and other natural earthen elements for a levee can lead to erosion during a flood, which negates its purpose. At best, an eroding levee will need much maintenance long-term and must be rebuilt periodically. In contrast, a precast concrete floodwall can withstand the tests of time and weather, making it a better investment for protecting a local area. 

Seawalls

A seawall acts like a blend of levees and floodwalls, as it is a man-made, concrete slope found near the shoreline on beaches. The purpose is the same as that of levees and floodwalls- to protect the surrounding homes, businesses and other buildings from damage caused by flooding. However, a seawall is specific to larger bodies of water, like an ocean, sea or gulf. Unlike a levee, a seawall constructed out of precast concrete will not erode, allowing the beach itself to withstand erosion as well (a major problem in most coastal areas). Conservationists love sea walls for the defense they provide for natural landforms and habitats. 

The issue of flooding can bring a lot of questions to mind, and thankfully, Permacast Precast Concrete has a lot of answers. Trust the company that provides the safest, most enduring solutions to some of the toughest problems. As we see more and more damage caused by flooding and other natural disasters, consider the economic and environmental benefits that will come from choosing precast concrete as a final solution to the problem of floodwater. Talk to our experts or learn more about how to shore up your assets with a Lunch & Learn session. We look forward to working with you to create the best security system around.