The Thames Barrier

The Thames Barrier is one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world.
The Environment Agency runs and maintains the Thames Barrier as well as the
capital’s other flood defences.
The barrier spans 520 metres across the River Thames near Woolwich, and it
protects 125 square kilometres of central London from flooding caused by tidal
surges.
It became operational in 1982 and has 10 steel gates that can be raised into
position across the River Thames. When raised, the main gates stand as high as a
five-storey building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge. Each main gate
weighs 3,300 tonnes.

Historical closures
As of February 2011, the Thames Barrier has now been closed 440 times, 119 of which have
been to protect London from flooding since the barrier became operational in 1982. Of the
closures, 78 were for tidal surge conditions and 41 were due to prevent rainfall/fluvial
flooding. In addition to these one closure was to assist with salvage work on the Marchioness
and one for repair works following the Sand Kite incident. The other occasions were monthly
closures, for experiments and tests.