Южный батопорт С-1

Did the gates of Navigation Pass S-1 always hold back the tides? No. This vital part of Saint Petersburg’s flood defenses wasn’t always here. Navigation Pass S-1, a key component of the Saint Petersburg Dam, stands as a modern marvel of engineering. It safeguards the city from the devastating storm surges that have threatened it for centuries. The dam complex, including S-1, is a series of dams and floodgates stretching across the Gulf of Finland. Navigation Pass S-1 is specifically designed to allow ships to pass through while also being able to quickly close off the bay during a storm surge. The S-1 consists of two massive caissons, each measuring 125 meters by 22 meters. These caissons rest in dry docks when not in use. When a surge threatens, they are floated into position and sunk, effectively sealing off the navigation channel. This channel is an impressive 200 meters wide and 16 meters deep. Interestingly, directly beneath Navigation Pass S-1, the Saint Petersburg Ring Road passes through an underwater tunnel. The construction of S-1 began in 1984. However, it wasn’t until the middle of 2011 that the gates were fully operational. They faced their first real test on November 27th of that same year, successfully protecting Saint Petersburg from a significant storm surge. The design of Navigation Pass S-1 is similar to the Maeslantkering barrier in the Netherlands, another example of human ingenuity combating the forces of nature. As you stand here, looking at Navigation Pass S-1, consider the scale of this engineering feat and the peace of mind it brings to the residents of Saint Petersburg.