An embankment is a raised wall, bank, or mound that is made of earth or stone and used to hold back water or carry a roadway. A road, railway track, or aqueduct is normally raised onto an embankment made of compacted soil to avoid a change in level required by the terrain, the alternatives being either to have an unacceptable change in level or detour to follow a contour. A cutting is used for the same purpose where the land is originally higher than required.