Venice Flood Barrier Successfully Tested

The test closure of the first completed storm-surge barrier in Venice at the Lido location was a success. The Lido barrier is one of the three movable barriers that will protect the city of Venice from flooding.

The barriers are being built at the Lido, Malamocco and Chioggia inlets to the lagoon. The system will be closed only at extremely high water on the lines of the Maeslant barrier in the Netherlands.

Deltares has been closely involved with the Venice barrier for years. In the 1990s, the company engaged in research and consultancy about the barriers and the flap gates in the tidal barrier.

The company also looked at the impact of the barriers on water flows, waves, ecology and morphology. Last year, Deltares conducted scale tests looking at the submersion of the caissons supporting the barrier at the Chioggia inlet.

It is expected that the Lido barrier will go operational in 2015.

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Press Release