A flood barrier, surge barrier of storm surge barrier is a specific type of floodgate, designed to prevent a storm surge or spring tide from flooding the protected area behind the barrier. A surge barrier is almost always part of a larger flood protection system consisting of floodwalls, levees (also known as dykes), and other constructions and natural geographical features.
Surge barriers allow water to pass under normal circumstances but, when a (storm) surge is expected the barrier, can be closed. The means of closing can consist of various forms of gates.
Famous quotes containing the words flood and/or barrier:
“My ark sings in the sun
At God speeded summer’s end
And the flood flowers now.”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)
“To say that a thing has never yet been done among men is to erect a barrier stronger than reason, stronger than discussion.”
—Thomas Brackett Reed (1839–1902)