Digue

Digue is a term of French origin that refers to a man-made barrier designed to prevent the flooding of land or to regulate water levels. In English, the equivalent terms are usually dike or dyke, and the concept encompasses a range of structures built along coastlines, riverbanks, or other low-lying areas to protect inhabited or agricultural land.

In civil engineering and geography, a digue can take various forms. It may be an earth or rubble embankment, sometimes faced with stone or concrete, crowned to resist wave action and high water. Dikes often incorporate drainage systems, sluice gates, and controlled outlets to manage water flow and prevent unintended flooding in protected areas. The design and height of a digue reflect local hydrology, sea behavior, and land use, and they are integral to flood defense, land reclamation, and coastal management.

Toponymy and cultural usage reflect the historical importance of dikes in Francophone regions. The element digue appears in place names and district identifiers where historical or present flood defenses shaped settlement patterns. While the term signifies a specific type of barrier, its appearance in a name does not necessarily indicate the current presence of a functioning digue, but rather a historical association with water management or coastal protection.

See also: dyke, levee, seawall, flood control, coastal engineering.