What is a dike?

A dike is a barrier or wall made of soil, rocks, concrete, or other materials that is built along the edges of bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, or oceans. Its purpose is to prevent flooding or waves from storm surges. Dikes are also commonly used to reclaim land from the sea by enclosing an area and draining the water out. Dikes can be natural or man-made, and are found all over the world in many different forms and sizes. In some cases, dikes are constructed with multiple layers to increase their strength and durability. Significant maintenance is required to ensure the dikes remain strong, and failure to maintain them can result in disastrous consequences, such as flooding, displacement of people, or destruction of property.