06/23/2026
The Thames Barrier is a movable flood defense spanning 520 meters across the river, protecting 125 square kilometers of central London from tidal surges, and safeguarding roughly 1.4 million people. Today the river was very low, but during severe weather or high tidal surges, the gates rotate 90 degrees into a vertical position, to create a solid wall against the water. In non-hazard times, the 10 steel gates sit flat on the riverbed to allow ships to pass. It has been an iconic - and essential - component of flood protection for the city since 1982. The gorgeous ’Green Dock’ park encapsulates a contaminated channel that was once part of the city’s docklands, creating space for wildlife and pollinators in this hot urban environment.
