The Thames Barrier was built to save London from disastrous flooding and opened in 1984. It's the world's largest movable flood barrier. It spans a third of a mile across the Thames and consists of ten separate movable steel gates built side by side across the river. Each gate is pivoted and supported between nine concrete piers which house the hydraulic machinery to raise the gates during periods of tidal surge.
A closer view of the piers taken from the Thames Path
I walked to the Thames barrier this week and as I was taking this photo of the barrier I noticed that the barrier was being raised. The barrier is raised in sections on a regular basis for maintenance.
This photo shows the one section that was raised.
It was only one section that was raised whilst I was there and just took a minute or two to reach its maximum height.
Since it was built the Thames barrier has been raised 150 times in order to prevent flooding in central London.
A preventive measure against climate change and sea level rise, too. The structures are more like sculptures - ship bows sticking out of the water.
ReplyDeleteSeems like an engineering success. I don’t recall ever hearing about these barriers before. Sounds like it has served its purpose very well over the years. The entire globe must consider how to deal with rising tides everywhere.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos ~ barriers are intriguing ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Week to you,
Living moment by moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
An impressive structure!
ReplyDeleteI note you said that since it was built, the Thames barrier has been raised 150 times to prevent flooding in central London. Since 1984, has there ever been a disastrous flood? and how did the barrier cope?
ReplyDeleteThe most devastating flood in central London happened in 1953 when 307 people lost their lives alongside extensive damage to properties. The barrier is our major defence but it works alongside a number of other smaller barriers and moveable smaller structures. Without the barrier central London would need much higher embankment walls preventing any views of the river. Our flood defences will need to be constantly monitored due to climate change.
DeleteWonderful shots!
ReplyDeleteI hear you here. Flood barriers are a part of our lives here as well. 1953 still is the year that stands out for us as well. Since then great improvements have been made to protect the people of the Netherlands and dikes are still being raised every so often to deal with the result of rising water due to climate change.
ReplyDeleteFascinating! I learn so much about London from you that I never would have known otherwise. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you on my blog again:_ Meanwhile I caved in to answering from google. (Am not very good with email). Have never seen these huge things in the Thames. Was too young to know about the disastrous flood of the Thames. Am glad everyone closeby is safe!
ReplyDeleteAmazing engineering. You were lucky to catch it in motion.
ReplyDeleteit's a very different wharf etc than what we see here but I like how different and innovative it all is.
ReplyDeleteThat was good timing on your part to see the raising! It’s an engineering marvel ...interesting to think of the lives and property it has saved over the years each time it was raised.
ReplyDeleteWhat a strange architecture I first thought it was whales ! Never seen such a barrier !
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures.
ReplyDeleteHappy March Wishes.
All the best Jan
A great engineering fete. I have never noticed these, but when I do I will know what they are. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat good timing to be there when it was raised.
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