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No two sites share the same conditions and needs. That’s why we use a variety of measures, adapted to each need, from physical barriers that keep out the rising tides to measures that help to reduce wave energy.
Protection Against Coastal Floods
Coastal protection begins with the fundamentals: physical barriers that keep seawater out. Dykes, dams, and seawalls are structures that form the backbone of coastal defence, creating reliable barriers between rising seas and our communities.
A barrier that is built to keep out sea waters. It is usually a raised mound of sand and clay. A dyke can be raised over time.
Example: Dykes along the coastal reservoirs in Northwest Coast
A barrier that is built across a water channel to hold back water. It is not easy to raise the height of a dam after construction is completed.
Example: Kranji dam
A vertical barrier that is built of concrete, rocks and rubble to protect coastal areas from waves and tides. It is usually difficult to raise the height of a seawall after construction.
Example: Seawall along the coast, in front of VivoCity
A barrier that is placed across a water channel, which can be raised or lowered to control the flow of water in water bodies. Once installed, it is difficult to increase the height of the gate.
Example: Serangoon Tidal Gates and Punggol Tidal Gates
A series of movable gates that can close during extreme storm surge events to block strong waves. It is difficult to change the dimensions once it is built.
Example: The Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier in the Netherlands, the Thames Barrier in the United Kingdom
A deployable flood barrier is a non-static structure that is designed to be quickly mounted before a flood. It can be stored when not needed. A deployable barrier is especially useful for areas where a static structure is not practical, for instance at access points to jetties.
Example: HafenCity, in Hamburg, Germany
Land reclamation refers to the process of creating new land from water bodies to expand usable land area. When reclaimed to higher levels, the new land protects existing coastlines. Land reclamation projects are costly and require a lot of resources.
Example: The upcoming Long Island project
Land raising refers to the process of increasing the elevation of coastal land to act as a barrier against flooding. This requires careful planning to minimise the impact on the surrounding area.
Example: Changi Airport Terminal 5 is built to 5.5m above mean sea level
A combination of natural elements with conventional engineering structures. A common example is the planting of mangroves in front of a revetment, which is a sloped water-tight structure on the shoreline. As the first line of defence, the mangroves reduce the energy of waves, resulting in smaller waves.
Reducing Wave Energy
Protecting Singapore’s shores by reducing wave energy is also important to maintain the coastal parks, infrastructure and natural habitats.
Mangrove ecosystems have the capability of reducing the energy of waves and stabilising shorelines.
Example: Coney Island and Pulau Ubin
A wall-like structure to reduce the force of waves and create calmer water behind it. A breakwater usually lies parallel to and off the coast. Its height or width can be adjusted, by adding more material.
Example of nearshore parallel breakwater: Palawan Beach/Siloso/Tanjong Beach Sentosa or East Coast Park
Man-made mound structure which is placed either in intertidal or tidal habitats to support biodiversity and reduce the wave energy as waves approach the shore. Artificial reefs cannot be deployed alone and need to be paired with beaches or a submerged structure.
Example: Sisters’ Island Marine Park
A beach that is supported by a submerged structure, such as a breakwater, can reduce wave energy and erosion. This measure is adaptable, as the submerged structure can be widened or raised.
Example: Lazarus Island
Protection Against Coastal Floods
Coastal protection begins with the fundamentals: physical barriers that keep seawater out. Dykes, dams, and seawalls are structures that form the backbone of coastal defence, creating reliable barriers between rising seas and our communities.
A barrier that is built to keep out sea waters. It is usually a raised mound of sand and clay. A dyke can be raised over time.
Example: Dykes along the coastal reservoirs in Northwest Coast
A barrier that is built across a water channel to hold back water. It is not easy to raise the height of a dam after construction is completed.
Example: Kranji dam
A vertical barrier that is built of concrete, rocks and rubble to protect coastal areas from waves and tides. It is usually difficult to raise the height of a seawall after construction.
Example: Seawall along the coast, in front of VivoCity
A barrier that is placed across a water channel, which can be raised or lowered to control the flow of water in water bodies. Once installed, it is difficult to increase the height of the gate.
Example: Serangoon Tidal Gates and Punggol Tidal Gates
A series of movable gates that can close during extreme storm surge events to block strong waves. It is difficult to change the dimensions once it is built.
Example: The Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier in the Netherlands, the Thames Barrier in the United Kingdom
A deployable flood barrier is a non-static structure that is designed to be quickly mounted before a flood. It can be stored when not needed. A deployable barrier is especially useful for areas where a static structure is not practical, for instance at access points to jetties.
Example: HafenCity, in Hamburg, Germany
Land reclamation refers to the process of creating new land from water bodies to expand usable land area. When reclaimed to higher levels, the new land protects existing coastlines. Land reclamation projects are costly and require a lot of resources.
Example: The upcoming Long Island project
Land raising refers to the process of increasing the elevation of coastal land to act as a barrier against flooding. This requires careful planning to minimise the impact on the surrounding area.
Example: Changi Airport Terminal 5 is built to 5.5m above mean sea level
A combination of natural elements with conventional engineering structures. A common example is the planting of mangroves in front of a revetment, which is a sloped water-tight structure on the shoreline. As the first line of defence, the mangroves reduce the energy of waves, resulting in smaller waves.
Reducing Wave Energy
Protecting Singapore’s shores by reducing wave energy is also important to maintain the coastal parks, infrastructure and natural habitats.
Mangrove ecosystems have the capability of reducing the energy of waves and stabilising shorelines.
Example: Coney Island and Pulau Ubin
A wall-like structure to reduce the force of waves and create calmer water behind it. A breakwater usually lies parallel to and off the coast. Its height or width can be adjusted, by adding more material.
Example of nearshore parallel breakwater: Palawan Beach/Siloso/Tanjong Beach Sentosa or East Coast Park
Man-made mound structure which is placed either in intertidal or tidal habitats to support biodiversity and reduce the wave energy as waves approach the shore. Artificial reefs cannot be deployed alone and need to be paired with beaches or a submerged structure.
Example: Sisters’ Island Marine Park
A beach that is supported by a submerged structure, such as a breakwater, can reduce wave energy and erosion. This measure is adaptable, as the submerged structure can be widened or raised.
Example: Lazarus Island
