Every year a community in some part of the world is destroyed by flooding. Indeed, flooding can happen anywhere it rains. There is hope, however. Architects and civil engineers have developed promising technologies for flood control. And yes, engineering can be beautiful.
The Thames Barrier in England
The Thames Barrier is the second largest flood defence barrier in the world. Made of steel, water gates on the Thames Barrier are normally left open so ships can pass through. Then, as needed, the water gates shut to stop water flowing through and to keep the Thames River safe. The Thames Barrier has 10 steel gates. The main gates stand as high as a 5-storey building. Each main gate weighs 3,300 tonnes. The Thames Barrier gates were constructed between 1974 and 1984 and have been closed to prevent floods more than 100 times.
Red Sluice Gate in Japan
To protect areas on the coast and along Japan's rapidly-flowing rivers, the nation's engineers have developed a complex system of canals and flood-gate locks(水闸). Red Sluice Gate was designed in 1924 by a Japanese architect who also worked on the Panama Canal. It is powered by automated "water-drive" motors. Such motors don't need electricity to run, so they aren't affected by power failures that can occur during storms. It contributed greatly to preventing floods until 1982 when a new sluice gate was completed. The Red Sluice Gate was no longer used but remains an impressive sight.
The Hagestein Weir in the Netherlands
Completed in about 1960, the Hagestein Weir is one of three movable dams, along the Rhine River in the Netherlands. The Hagestein Weir has two enormous arched gates to control water and generate power. Spanning 54 meters, the gates are stored in the up position. Dams and water barriers like Hagestein Weir have become models for water control engineers around the world.
MOSE in Venice
With its famous canals, Venice, Italy is a well-known watery city. Global warming threatens its very existence. Since the 1980s, officials have been pouring money into the MOSE project, a series of 78 barriers that can rise collectively or independently across the lagoon opening and curtail the rising waters of the Adriatic Sea.
