A tidal barrage is an artificial obstruction at the mouth of a tidal watercourse, in contrast to a normal barrage along a river's inland course.
Purpose
The common primary functions of a barrage are:
- Increase the depth of a river (similar to a weir)
- Maintain a separation between fresh and salt water
- Reduce the risk of tidal flooding up the river
Secondary functions may include:
- Tidal power generation
- Artificial whitewater leisure centres
- Form a Coastal reservoir
Notable barrages
- Cardiff Bay Barrage
- Goolwa Barrages
- Marina Barrage
- Prakasham Barrage
- Swansea barrage
- Tees Barrage
- West Sea Barrage
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Partial view of the West Sea Barrage near Namp'o, North Korea in 1989 -
Lock in Cardiff Bay Barrage -
Marina barrage bridge
Power Station Barrages
- Rance tidal power plant
- Annapolis Royal Generating Station (Decommissioned)
- Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station
- Kislaya Guba Tidal Power Station
- Jiangxia Tidal Power Station
Proposed barrages
- Severn Barrage across the River Severn between Wales and England
- Mersey Barrage across the Mersey Estuary in England