How about a maritime puzzle to lighten up the Forum? What is it?

[AntarcticPilot]

Very true of much of the north Kent coast too - it's obvious that many of the creeks we know today were simply deeper gullies through saltmarsh, and only became defined as land reclamation proceeded and sea walls were built.

All the islands round Hamford Water are defined by obvious sea walls; they are obviously not natural.

 

[Tomahawk]

Very true of much of the north Kent coast too - it's obvious that many of the creeks we know today were simply deeper gullies through saltmarsh, and only became defined as land reclamation proceeded and sea walls were built.

Those sea walls are destroying the salt marshes. They stop the marsh from moving with the weather and storms. The very worst of it is that the vast majority of the land "protected" by the sea defence is not producing anything near ths cost of the defence.

 

[LittleSister]

Those sea walls are destroying the salt marshes. They stop the marsh from moving with the weather and storms. The very worst of it is that the vast majority of the land "protected" by the sea defence is not producing anything near ths cost of the defence.

That is true. They also confine the rivers from flooding the, er, flood plain, thus exacerbating flooding elsewhere (usually in more developed and hence vulnerable areas), but the process of 'managed retreat' from these earlier defences, being pursued by EA and others (and with which I have had some professional involvement), is complex, political and strongly contested.

One of my favourite related tales is that of Norfolk's historical coastal defences. I can't remember the exact details, but as I recall the sea defences on Norfolk's East Coast were breached in the 16th(?) century, to much weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth by the many affected (not just direct flooding, but also salt on the soil harming crops). A Royal Commission was established to repair the breach, and recoup the cost from all those who benefitted. Once the repair was done, the Commission had great difficulty collecting the monies as now everyone said they hadn't been much affected, didn't mind being flooded, etc. etc.

Despite marked changes in institutional arrangements, uncannily similar things are happening today: significant public monies are spent to the benefit of particular private owners.

 

[Tomahawk]

Most of the sae wall along the north bank of the Crouch defends a strip of land some few hundred yards wide Where farmers get subsidies for environmental enhancement.

If you can work out benefit to society as a whole from that one you are a better man than I am Gungadin

 

[Lucy52]

If the sea wall at Pevensy was breached the sea would flood up to Pevensy Castle as in Roman times. Some square kilometers of land would be lost.

The same would happen if you left Eastbourne Marina lock gates open for long enough.

 

[Tomahawk]

Sea defences make sense when they protect things that are worth more than the cost of the sea defence.