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:
“The mighty river flowing dark and deep,
With ebb and flood from the remote sea-tides
Vague-sounding through the City’s sleepless sleep,
Is named the River of the Suicides;”
—James Thomson (1834–1882)
“... social evils are dangerously contagious. The fixed policy of persecution and injustice against a class of women who are weak and defenseless will be necessarily hurtful to the cause of all women.”
—Fannie Barrier Williams (1855–1944)