Delta Works The Delta Works in the
Netherlands is the largest flood protection project in the world. This project consists of a number of surge barriers, the
Oosterscheldekering being the largest surge barrier in the world, long. Other examples include the
Maeslantkering,
Haringvlietdam and the
Hartelkering.
Thames Barrier The Thames Barrier is the world's second largest movable flood barrier (after the Oosterscheldekering and the Haringvlietdam) and is located downstream of central London. Its purpose is to prevent London from being flooded by exceptionally high
tides and storm surges moving up from the
North Sea. It needs to be raised (closed) only during high tide; at ebb tide it can be lowered to release the water that backs up behind it. in the foreground, the
MRGO in the background
New Orleans In 2007 the
United States Army Corps of Engineers started construction of an ambitious project that aimed to prevent storm surges from flooding the city by 2011. The
IHNC Lake Borgne Surge Barrier on the confluence of these waterways is the largest in the United States. It protects the city from the
Gulf of Mexico from flooding the area. The new
Seabrook floodgate prevents a storm surge from entering from Lake Pontchartrain. The
GIWW West Closure Complex closes the
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway to protect the west side of the city. This complex is unique in that it contains the world's largest
pumping station, necessary to pump out rainwater that is discharged in the protected side of the canal during a
hurricane.
Eider Barrage The Eider Barrage is located at the mouth of the river
Eider near
Tönning on Germany's North Sea coast. Its main purpose is protection from
storm surges by the North Seas. It is Germany's largest coastal protection structure.
St. Petersburg Dam The Saint Petersburg Dam (officially called the Saint Petersburg Flood Prevention Facility Complex) is a barrier separating the
Gulf of Finland from
Neva Bay to protect the city of
Saint Petersburg,
Russia from
coastal flooding. The
Soviet Union started construction of the barrier in 1978 and it was completed and made operational in 2011.
New England The
New Bedford Harbor Hurricane Barrier protects the city of
New Bedford, Massachusetts, with a mostly immovable barrier of stone and fill. It has three land and one marine door for access in calm seas. The nearby
Fox Point Hurricane Barrier protects the city of
Providence, Rhode Island. The US Army Corps of Engineers also owns and operates the hurricane barrier at Stamford, CT.
Venice The MOSE Project is intended to protect the city of
Venice,
Italy, and the Venetian Lagoon from flooding.
River Foss Barrier The River Foss, York, UK has a barrier to control the inflow of fast moving water from the River Ouse that may overspill its banks upstream the Foss and flood surrounding properties. == Proposed flood barriers ==