definition

Storm surge barriers are hard engineered structures with a primary function of preventing coastal flooding. Their secondary role is to shorten the required length of defences behind the barrier. This reduces the risk of defence failure and reduces the cost of providing the additional defences. Surge barriers can be either movable or fixed.
(Coastalwiki, Storm surge barriers and closure dams, accessed on Sept. 2016).

Co-benefits and impacts

Storm surge barriers provide a high degree of protection against coastal flooding by preventing storm surges from entering low-lying estuarine areas. Although permanently closing off the estuary mouth using a closure dam, would achieve the same outcome, the use of a movable barrier allows waterways to remain open during normal conditions. This can be beneficial to trade if the estuary also acts as a trading port and is also valuable for estuarine species reliant on brackish water conditions. This technology effectively reduces the height of extreme water levels in the area behind the barrier, if closed in a timely fashion. Doing so may allow the strength of existing defences behind the barrier to be reduced. This will reduce both construction and maintenance costs of additional defences on the landward side of these structures.
(Coastalwiki, Storm surge barriers and closure dams, accessed on Sept. 2016).

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Last modified: Sept. 21, 2016, 9:11 a.m.