The Thames Barrier
The Thames Barrier is a world-renowned flood defence system that plays a crucial role in protecting London from the risk of flooding. Located in Woolwich, it is the second largest flood defence barrier in the world and was constructed between 1974 and 1982 to prevent flooding from the North Sea storm surges.
The barrier is made up of 10 steel flood gates that are positioned between concrete piers. When not in operation, the main gates lie flat on the river bed allowing passage of the river. The gates rotate through 90 degrees into position as required, where they are capable of withstanding a differential head of 9.9m on the downstream side and 6.1m on the upstream side. This means that they are able to hold back water from the sea during periods of high tide, preventing flooding from occurring in the city.
The Thames Barrier has been a vital piece of infrastructure in London since its construction, helping to protect the city from the devastating impacts of flooding. The barrier was built in response to the North Sea flood of 1953, which caused widespread damage and loss of life in East England and East London. The flood resulted in over 300 deaths and highlighted the need for a comprehensive flood defence system to protect the city from future events.
The Thames Barrier has proven to be highly effective in protecting London from flooding. The barrier has allowed flood defence walls in London to remain at their 1950s levels, meaning that the city has been able to maintain its current level of protection against flooding. This has helped to reduce the costs associated with building new flood defence walls and has ensured that the city is able to withstand future storm surges.
The Thames Barrier has undergone several upgrades and improvements since its construction to ensure that it remains effective in protecting London from flooding. In 2017, a major upgrade was completed that included the installation of a new control and monitoring system, as well as the replacement of some of the barrier's components. The upgrade was carried out to ensure that the barrier remains operational for at least another 25 years.
The Thames Barrier is just one example of the importance of flood defence systems in protecting cities from the impacts of flooding. With the increasing risks associated with climate change, it is becoming more important than ever to invest in flood defence infrastructure to protect communities from the devastating impacts of flooding.
In addition to the Thames Barrier, there are several other flood defence systems in the UK that play a crucial role in protecting communities from flooding. The Foss Barrier in York, for example, is a flood defence system that was built in response to the 2000 floods that affected the city. The barrier is made up of four vertical lift gates that can be raised to prevent water from the River Foss from entering the city.
The Foss Barrier is just one example of the innovative flood defence systems that are being developed to protect communities from flooding. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the development of sustainable flood defence systems that incorporate green infrastructure such as wetlands, floodplains, and natural habitats to help reduce the risk of flooding.
Green infrastructure has been shown to be effective in reducing the impacts of flooding by providing additional storage capacity for floodwater and slowing down the rate of water flow. In addition, green infrastructure provides a range of co-benefits, including improved air quality, increased biodiversity, and enhanced recreational opportunities.
The use of green infrastructure in flood defence systems is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, with several projects underway across the country. The Wallasea Island Wild Coast project, for example, is a large-scale coastal realignment scheme that incorporates a range of green infrastructure features to help protect the coast from flooding.
Note by Will W
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