3 High-Tech Flood Prevention Strategies

4/29/2022 (Permalink)

3 High-Tech Flood Prevention Methods

Large cities that are located in coastal areas or near rivers and lakes can be devastated by high water from widespread flooding. As a result, some large cities have begun to replace traditional techniques, such as piling up sandbags, with more high-tech solutions. These are three examples of high-tech flood prevention strategies.

1. The Thames Barrier

English engineers designed a movable flood barrier to stop flooding along the Thames River. The barrier is constructed from hollow steel. Water gates installed in the barrier allow ships to pass through. These gates can be closed when water levels begin to rise. The gates, which were constructed between 1974 and 1984, have been closed for flood prevention more than 100 times.

2. Oosterscheldekering

60% of the population in the Netherlands lives below sea level, making high water one of the country's largest concerns. They constructed a network of sluices, locks, dams, storm surge barriers, and dikes, known as Deltawerken, from 1950 to 1997. The Oosterschelde also called the Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier, is one of their most impressive projects. It features a barrier with movable gates, called the Oosterscheldekering, which reduced the tidal height from 3.40 meters to 3.25 meters.

3. The Hagestein Weir

The Hagestein Weir is one of three movable weirs that was completed along the Rhine River in the Netherlands in about 1960. It has two massive arched gates that are used to generate power and control water on the Lek River. Dams such as the Hagestein Weir have become a model for cities around the world that hope to reduce the need for storm damage restoration by better controlling flooding.

High water can pose a major risk of property damage in cities without adequate flood protection. You can find out more about what is being done in St Anthony MN, to prevent flooding by talking to your local officials.