Wonders of the Modern World – Scheldt Storm Barrier

nearly one third of the Netherlands lies
below the sea level while the first
barrier became operational in 1956 it
wasn’t until several decades later in
1986 that the eastern shelled storm
surge barrier became operational it is
one of the largest structures in the
world and it is actually an open damp
originally plans for a closed damn were
criticized because all of the saltwater
environment of the area would cease to
exist instead the open damned allowed
gates to open and close 62 of these
openings allowed as much salt water to
pass through per time
[Music]