flood

defend (against); prevent (something)

a dike or levee for containing water

weir, dam

dam / prevent / stop up

construction, building (of a dam, bridge, or other large project) / establishment of an organization

construct, build (a large project, e.g. a dam, a bridge, a skyscraper, etc.) / establish an organization

a construction site

(literally) for a dam to break and water to burst forth / (figuratively) to burst forth (e.g. tears, words, a crowd)