The levee system starts as floodwall along the right (north) bank of the Connecticut River at high ground, just downstream (southwest) of Appleton Street. The floodwall follows the river downstream (southwest) to the Third Level Canal where the system turns inland from the Connecticut River, and a series of floodwalls line the Third Level Canal. From the Third Level Canal, the system continues downstream along the Connecticut River as floodwall until it reaches the Holyoke Water Pollution Control Facility where the system transitions from floodwall to earthen embankment. The earthen embankment continues downstream along the right bank of the river until it reaches high ground, just south of Springdale Park. The levee system is extremely complex and includes approximately 11,050 ft of concrete floodwall, 3,700 ft of earth embankment, three pumping stations, 12 stoplog closure structures, and nine sandbag closures. The levee system was constructed in a highly industrialized area and five large tailrace structures, numerous conduits, and other utilities pass beneath the levee system. Many of the tailraces and conduits were constructed to support manufacturing facilities that no longer exist, so many of the tailraces and conduits are no longer in use. Construction of the levee system was completed in February 1950. The City of Holyoke operates and maintains the project.