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Thames Barrier

The Thames Barrier is a remarkable feat of engineering that spans the River Thames in London. It was built in the 1980s to protect the city from flooding caused by high tides and storm surges. The barrier is an impressive sight to behold, with its towering gates and sleek design. For photographers, the Thames Barrier offers a wealth of opportunities to capture stunning images. The area around the barrier is home to several photography locations, including the Thames Path, which offers panoramic views of the river and the barrier. Other popular spots include the Royal Victoria Gardens and the Woolwich Pier, which provide unique perspectives of the barrier and the surrounding landscape.

Thames Barrier from Visitors' Centre
Thames Barrier from Southwest
by jim stephenw

The Thames 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 has 10 steel gates that can be raised into position across the River Thames. When raised, the main gates stand as high as a 5-storey building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge. Each main gate weighs 3,300 tonnes. The barrier is closed under storm surge conditions to protect London from flooding from the sea. It may also be closed during periods of high flow over Teddington Weir to reduce the risk of river flooding in some areas of west London including Richmond and Twickenham. The Thames Barrier will then remain closed over high water until the water level downstream of the Thames Barrier has reduced to the same level as upstream. This is a managed process to provide for different circumstances, and takes about 5 hours. The Thames Barrier is then opened, allowing the water upstream to flow out to sea with the outward-bound tide.

Information taken from gov.uk website.

HDR image made by tone-mapping 3 exposures at -2EV, 0EV and +2EV.

Thames Barrier, London with Canary Wharf in background
Thames Barrier from Southeast
by jim stephenw

The Thames 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 has 10 steel gates that can be raised into position across the River Thames. When raised, the main gates stand as high as a 5-storey building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge. Each main gate weighs 3,300 tonnes. The barrier is closed under storm surge conditions to protect London from flooding from the sea. It may also be closed during periods of high flow over Teddington Weir to reduce the risk of river flooding in some areas of west London including Richmond and Twickenham. The Thames Barrier will then remain closed over high water until the water level downstream of the Thames Barrier has reduced to the same level as upstream. This is a managed process to provide for different circumstances, and takes about 5 hours. The Thames Barrier is then opened, allowing the water upstream to flow out to sea with the outward-bound tide.

Information taken from gov.uk website.

Thames Barrier
Thames Barrier from Southwest
by Rob Oo

London, UK. 1993. From B/W negative.

Protection
Thames Barrier from Southeast
by Pete Rowbottom

Another shot from the Thames Barrier in Greenwich, with sunset rapidly approaching there was a good amount of golden soft light to play with, the lower light allowing a decent long exposure time, just showing of a lone section of the river defence, these to me are a very interesting and unusual architectural design, almost space age, and set against some recognisable shapes in the City make for some unusual images when coupled with a long exposure.

138 seconds @ f/16

Thanks for 1 Million views on my stream.

You can view my most interesting shots on Flickriver here: www.flickriver.com/photos/pete37038/popular-interesting/.

London's Protector...
Thames Barrier from Southeast

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This is the Thames Barrier in London which acts as a first defence from...

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The New Power Generation
Thames Barrier from Northwest

Thames Barrier, Docklands, London

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Defence
Thames Barrier from Southeast
by Pete Rowbottom

Thames Barrier, Greenwich, City Of London. A very rainy, windy, stormy day providing a dramatic setting around the City tidal defences. 108 seconds @ f/16

Thanks for over 1 Million views on my stream.

You can view my most interesting shots on Flickriver here: www.flickriver.com/photos/pete37038/popular-interesting/.

Thames Barrier
Thames Barrier from Southeast
by Clive Griffiths

The classic view of the Thames Barrier from Woolwich on the south bank of the Thames, with a bit of LE thrown in.

The Pyramid Protector...
Thames Barrier from Southeast

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London offers some great views this one is a great one looking across from the Thames...

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The Thames Barrier, London
Thames Barrier from Southwest

An impressive and fascinating piece of construction, designed to prevent the floodplain of most of Greater London from being flooded by exceptionally...

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Thames Barrier from Visitors' Centre
Thames Barrier from Southeast
by jim stephenw

The Thames 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 has 10 steel gates that can be raised into position across the River Thames. When raised, the main gates stand as high as a 5-storey building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge. Each main gate weighs 3,300 tonnes. The barrier is closed under storm surge conditions to protect London from flooding from the sea. It may also be closed during periods of high flow over Teddington Weir to reduce the risk of river flooding in some areas of west London including Richmond and Twickenham. The Thames Barrier will then remain closed over high water until the water level downstream of the Thames Barrier has reduced to the same level as upstream. This is a managed process to provide for different circumstances, and takes about 5 hours. The Thames Barrier is then opened, allowing the water upstream to flow out to sea with the outward-bound tide.

Information taken from gov.uk website.

HDR image made by tone-mapping 3 exposures at -2EV, 0EV and +2EV.

The Thames Barrier, Greater London, England
Thames Barrier from Southwest

Opened in 1984 the Thames Barrier prevents most of Greater London from being flooded by exceptionally high tides and storm surges moving up from the...

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Thanks to all Phoide contributors to Thames Barrier!
Most notably jim stephenw, Pete Rowbottom and Andrey Sulitskiy.