formed, as sand/shingle is slowly moved up a beach by successive incoming tides

a narrow ledge typically at the top of a slope. Here, walls of bulldozed sand constructed within the Western Sahara virtually paralleling its borders with Mauritania. Moroccan forces constructed the berms, which were subsequently fitted with special sensory devices to prevent Polisario guerrillas from infiltrating into territory controlled by Morocco.

an area of higher elevation or a small structure running parallel to a shoreline

Earth-filled structures placed on a floodplain to divert flood flows, most commonly into bridge or culvert openings. The earth fill should be erosion-resistant and the berms should be covered with erosion-resistant vegetation. Berms should be located to ensure no significant increase in water surface elevations. pp. 43 and 75.