Further readings:. Related links:. Print page to PDF. About the author. Alexander Hall is a historian interested in the intersection of science, policy, and the environment, and is currently a visiting scholar at the Institute for Science and Technology Studies at York University, Toronto. Further articles by this author: The North Sea Flood of Themes Disasters Infrastructure Landscape Transformation.
Keywords dams floods rivers storm surge. Explore on map. Javascript is required to view this map. All Arcadia Collections Coastal History. Disaster Histories. Surges begin with bands of low atmospheric pressure originating in the Atlantic, which have the effect of raising sea levels. The planners have put mitigating the effects of climate change at centre stage.
They expect it to produce raised average sea levels, surge tide levels and wave heights in the coming decades, albeit by less than previously thought. Meanwhile, land levels in the south-east of England are falling — only by about 1. The TE plan sets out an action programme, already being put into effect, for building resilience into the floodplain environment. Setting new buildings back from the waterfront helps, as a buffer of green can double as an overspill facility. As Batchelor observes, the power station look of the original control consoles is long gone.
Today, the space is hushed and computerised, a monitoring hub for its own data and more from the Met Office and the UK National Tidegauge Network , enabling forecasts of dangerous conditions up to 36 hours in advance. Local flood warnings are issued too, enabling residents of places such as Richmond to anticipate water spilling across the towpath and up to their front gates.
Without it, London would get its feet wet and much worse. Recorded history of the Thames banks bursting goes back a long way. The last major flood affecting central London occurred in January , when defences in Chelsea and Victoria were overwhelmed at dead of night, with a section opposite the Tate Gallery in Millbank collapsing.
Among the paintings damaged as a result were works by Turner, famous for his boiling seascapes. Fourteen people drowned and thousands had to leave their homes. It occurred thanks to a perfect combination of storms, with a tidal surge meeting a doubling of inflow from the west caused by heavy rain and snow thawing in the Cotswolds, where the Thames has its source. The gates are hollow — they fill with water as they sink and empty as they emerge from the river.
At Without the Thames Barrier, London's flood defence walls… would have to be as high as the Victorian streetlamps - effectively depriving Londoners of their river. The Thames Barrier is the second largest flood defence barrier in the world. The Oosterscheldekering Barrier in the Netherlands is the largest. Without the barrier London landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the O2 arena and Tower Bridge would be submerged by flood water. The barrier is frequently mentioned in popular culture.
It's also been used in music videos, including one for the Take That single 'The Flood. The job you end up with in civil engineering is likely to link back to what you studied at school, college or university.
Here you can see your options at any age. Thames Barrier Year: Area improved London has benefited environmentally and economically through flood avoidance. Environment benefited Less chaos, disaster and damage resulting from sudden flooding. Solved the problem Stopped London falling victim to tide or water surges.
Used engineering skill Design, build and install a steel barrier right across the river. Jump directly to the content. Sign in. All Football. Here we explain what it does, how it works, and what would happen without it.
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