venice tide barrier

POINT 1

1. The project is an integrated system consisting of rows of mobile gates installed at the Lido, Malamocco, and Chioggia inlets

POINT 2

2. Together with other measures, such as coastal reinforcement, the raising of quaysides, and the paving and improvement of the lagoon, MOSE is designed to protect Venice and the lagoon from tides of up to 3 metres

POINT 3

3. Currently it is raised for tides of more than 110 centimetres.

POINT 1

MOSE, together with reinforcement of the barrier island, has been designed to provide protection from tides of up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in height.

POINT 2

MOSE is flexible and can be operated in different ways according to the characteristics and height of the tide.

POINT 3

The gates are independent and can be operated separately, all three inlets can be closed in the case of an exceptional event or each inlet can be partially closed.

Under normal tidal conditions, the gates are full of water and rest in their housing structures

STEP 1

STEP 2

When a high tide is forecast, compressed air is introduced into the gates to empty them of water, causing them to rotate around the axis of the hinges

The gates rise up until they emerge above the water to stop the tide from entering the lagoon. When the tide drops, the gates are filled with water again and return to their housing.

STEP 3

POINT

To guarantee navigation and avoid interruption of activities in the Port of Venice, when the mobile barriers are in operation, a main lock is under construction at the Malamocco inlet to allow the transit of large ships, while at the Lido and Chioggia inlets there will be smaller locks to allow emergency vessels, fishing boats and pleasure craft to shelter and transit.

LIDO INLET

1. There will be two rows of gates at the Lido inlet (21 mobile gates for the North barrier Lido-Treporti and 20 mobile gates for the South barrier Lido-San Nicolò).

LIDO INLET

2. Lido inlet consist of a lock, which allow small craft and emergency vessels to shelter and transit when the gates are raised.

3. At the centre of the inlet, a new island has been constructed to act as an intermediate structure between the two rows of mobile gates. This island will accommodate the buildings and plant for operating the gates

MALAMOCCO INLET

1. There is one row of 19 gates at the Malamocco inlet

2. In April 2014, the lock for the transit of large ships becomes operative to avoid interference with port activities when the gates are in operation.

MALAMOCCO INLET

3. Outside the inlet, a 1,300-metre (4,300 ft) long curved breakwater designed to attenuate tidal currents and define a basin of calm water to protect the lock has been completed.

CHIOGGIA INLET

1. There is one row of 18 gates at the Chioggia inlet.

2. Work has been completed to construct a small craft harbour with double lock to guarantee transit of a large number of fishing vessels when the gates are in operation.

CHIOGGIA INLET

3. Outside the inlet, a 500 metres (1,600 ft) long curved breakwater has been completed.