River Hull tidal surge barrier

River Hull tidal surge barrier
River Hull tidal barrier
Location of River Hull tidal surge barrier in the East Riding of Yorkshire
Country	England
Location	Kingston upon Hull
Coordinates	53°44′20″N 0°19′48″W / 53.739°N 0.330°W / 53.739; -0.330
Purpose	Flood control
Status	Operational
Construction began	January 1977
Opening date	15 April 1980
Construction cost	£4.3 million (1980)
Designed by	Shankland Cox Partnership
Owner(s)	Environment Agency
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Tidal surge barrier
Impounds	River Hull

The River Hull tidal surge barrier is a flood control gate located on the River Hull in the city of Kingston upon Hull, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The barrier impounds the river in times of tidal surges, preventing water moving upstream of the river from the Humber Estuary, and flooding the areas of the city which are near to the river, or susceptible to flooding. It is held horizontal when not in use, and turns 90 degrees before being lowered to the riverbed in the event of a tidal surge. It is the second largest flood barrier in the United Kingdom after the Thames Barrier in London.

The barrier was opened in 1980, and since then, has closed over 30 times as a preventative measure during tidal surges. A proposed lagoon to control tidal flooding in the Humber Estuary would render the River Hull non-tidal. The barrier was grade II listed in 2017, with David Neave describing it as a prominent Hull landmark.