Abstract
A DEBATE in the House of Lords on May 26 revived the publicity given about two years ago to a somewhat grandiose scheme for impounding the tidal area of the Thames above Woolwich by means of a dam, or barrage, across the river at that point. The scheme received a notable degree of attention at the time as it presented a number of attractive features, and was put forward with considerable plausibility of argument by its promoters, who have since been busily engaged in propaganda work through the agency of an organization, called the Thames Barrage Association. That a number of the promoters' contentions are true, or rather that they have a basis of fact, cannot be gainsaid by a fair-minded critic. There are undoubted defects to which, in some degree, the scheme might afford a remedy, principally, perhaps, in regard to mitigating the pollution, by tidal reflux of sewage effluent, of the river above the suggested dam. The promoters claim that the evil would be entirely eliminated; but this could scarcely be the case in view of the direct dis charge, into the area proposed to be impounded, of sewage-laden tributaries. In all probability, there would be intensification of pollution immediately below the dam for lack of current movement.
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The Thames Barrage Proposal. Nature 139, 955–956 (1937). https://doi.org/10.1038/139955c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/139955c0