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Mobile Flood Barriers

Mobile flood barriers are temporary flood defences: they are put in place when a flood is expected and removed when the water has gone.

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SLAMDAM mobile flood barrier along a fast-flowing river below mountains in Pakistan

Protect communities and infrastructure with innovative, rapidly deployable flood barriers that are designed for efficiency and durability

They protect places where a permanent wall is not possible, not yet built or not wanted. WaveSave’s mobile flood barrier is SLAMDAM: water-filled, connected 5-metre units of reinforced EPDM.

Innovative Mobile Flood Barriers

Superior Strength Meets Advanced Engineering

SLAMDAM mobile flood barrier along a riverbank in Uganda

Our revolutionary SLAMDAM system represents the next generation of flood control solutions. Built with a patented dual-compartment design in reinforced EPDM, it delivers unprecedented protection against extreme flooding events.

This innovative mobile flood barrier system combines robust physical defense with smart technology integration, setting new standards in flood resilience.

Key features include:

  • Unmatched material strength through reinforced EPDM
  • Superior resistance against water pressure and velocities
  • Exceptional water-tightness and durability
  • Versatile protection for both urban and rural environments
  • Proven effectiveness in critical infrastructure defense

Intelligent Mobile Flood Barriers

Rapid Response with Smart Features

Flood modelling on computer screens and a digital map table

SLAMDAM revolutionizes flood response by combining quick deployment capabilities with advanced digital integration.

Our system transforms traditional flood defense approaches by enabling rapid installation while leveraging cutting-edge technology for optimal performance.

Experience the advantages of:

  • Easy and rapid deployment of a lengthy barrier
  • Modular customizable 5 m units for flexible configuration
  • Portable design for easy transportation and storage
  • Comprehensive smart technology integration:
    • Advanced hydrodynamic modeling
    • Cost-benefit analysis tool
    • Real-time water level monitoring
    • Early Warning System integration
Flood modelling on computer screens and a digital map table

Sustainable Performance & Reliability

Long-Term Protection, Lasting Value

SLAMDAM mobile flood barrier filled with water along a tree-lined path
Choose a flood protection solution that delivers both immediate security and long-term value. SLAMDAM's durable, reusable design limits its environmental impact: the barriers are reused for future flood events instead of being discarded.

Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in:

  • UV and ozone-resistant materials
  • Environmentally conscious design
  • Minimal maintenance requirements
  • Reusable components reducing environmental impact
  • Compact storage solution for constant flood readiness
  • Smart monitoring integration for optimal performance

Key benefits of WaveSave

Discover the key benefits of WaveSave’s innovative water control solutions for a resilient future

Key benefits of SLAMDAM

Discover the key benefits of WaveSave’s innovative mobile flood barrier

Easy deployment

Quickly and easily deploy SLAMDAM barriers to provide immediate flood protection.

Reliable performance

Tested by TÜV Nederland, Deltares and NAHRIM, with a proven track record worldwide

Cost-effective

Reusable for future flood events, SLAMDAM barriers offer long-term value.

Sustainable

Emptied, stored and reused for future flood events, instead of being discarded like sandbags

Dual functionality

In addition to flood protection, SLAMDAM barriers can also be used for temporary water storage.

Easy to store

Empty units fold into stackable crates of 60 by 80 cm, ready for reuse.

Types of mobile flood barriers

Temporary flood barriers come in four main types. They differ in how they are built, how many people and how much preparation they need, and where they work best.

Type How it works Strong points Watch out for
Sandbags Bags filled with sand and stacked by hand. Cheap to buy; useful for small emergencies. Labour-intensive; filling, transport and disposal take time and people.
Water-filled tubes, such as SLAMDAM Flexible tubes rolled out and filled with water on site; the weight of the water holds them in place. Light to transport when empty; reusable; filled with local water. Need a pump and a water source; the ends must tie into high ground or a structure.
Frame barriers Portable metal frames with a waterproof cover, set up at planned locations. Quick to set up where a deployment plan exists. Need trained crews and suitable sites; advance planning speeds up deployment.
Demountable barriers Panels placed in fixed foundations or posts only when a flood is expected. Keep views and access when not in use. Need permanent foundations and construction work in advance.

Whichever type you choose, temporary barriers need warning time, people and a plan for where they go. They hold back water that flows over land, but do not stop groundwater seeping up behind them. Read our guide to temporary flood protection.

When is a mobile flood barrier the right choice?

A mobile barrier fits when:

  • you get warning before the water arrives, from a forecast or a flood early warning system;
  • the protection is needed for days or weeks, not permanently;
  • a permanent wall would block access, a river frontage or a view;
  • the expected water level is within the barrier’s retaining height (for SLAMDAM about 50, 80 or 100 cm, depending on the unit);
  • the barrier can be stored and reused for the next flood.

Choose something else, or get a site assessment first, when:

  • the site needs protection all year round or for decades: then a permanent defence fits better;
  • the ground is loose sand, such as a beach, where water can flow underneath;
  • there are strong currents, high waves, floating debris or erosion: we assess such sites first;
  • the ends of the barrier cannot rest against a structure or rising ground.

Mobile flood barriers compared with sandbags

Sandbags have to be filled, transported and stacked by hand, and often have to be disposed of after a flood. SLAMDAM units are rolled out, connected and filled with water on site, which takes far less manpower and logistics, especially when larger areas need protection. Afterwards they are emptied, folded, stored and reused. Although sandbags may have a lower initial cost, SLAMDAM is reusable over many years, making it a significantly more cost-effective solution in the long term. Sandbags remain useful for small emergencies.

Flood modelling on computer screens and a digital map table

How a mobile flood barrier project works

  1. Assess the site. We look at where the water comes from, the ground and the ends of the barrier, and combine hydrodynamic analysis with local experience to choose the right configuration.
  2. Plan and train. We train local teams; in our experience, people can learn to deploy SLAMDAM within a day.
  3. Deploy. The units are rolled out, connected and filled with water using a pump or a fire truck, by your own trained team or by WaveSave under a service contract.
  4. During the flood. The barrier is checked while the water is high. We train the people who respond to warnings, for example from a flood early warning system, and can help describe what they do when the water rises.
  5. After the flood. The units are emptied, folded and stored in crates, ready for the next deployment.

Independently tested

SLAMDAM was tested for leakage in the presence of TÜV Nederland (2013, PAS 1188 procedure), tested at full scale with waves in the Delta Flume of Deltares (2024), and tested in the hydraulic laboratory of NAHRIM, Malaysia’s national hydraulic research institute, which issued a Hydro Product Testing Certificate (2026).

Where mobile flood barriers have been used

Use Project
River flood control Rumuruti, Kenya: 150 metres of SLAMDAM helped control flooding during the April to May 2024 rains.
Harbour protection Port of Grindavík, Iceland: harbour facilities and port operations protected.
Floods from seasonal glacier melt Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan: 200 metres deployed within one day.
Urban flood control Lagos, Nigeria, with the African Development Bank.
Flood protection and water storage Bubanza, Burundi: water stored for irrigation in dry periods.
Recurring river floods Obongi District, Uganda, with the Adaptation Fund.
Containing firefighting water Maasland, the Netherlands: a temporary basin for polluted firefighting water.
Protecting a lodge JW Marriott Masai Mara, Kenya: about 100 metres, combined with gabions.

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Frequently asked questions about mobile flood barriers

What is a mobile flood barrier?

A mobile flood barrier is a temporary flood defence that is installed when water levels rise and removed once the threat has passed. There are several types, such as water-filled tubes, frame barriers and demountable panels. SLAMDAM, WaveSave’s mobile flood barrier, is water-filled: the units are rolled out, connected and filled with locally available water using a pump, and the weight of the water holds the barrier in place.

The main types of temporary and demountable flood barriers are sandbags, water-filled tubes such as SLAMDAM, portable frame barriers with a waterproof cover, and panels that are placed in fixed foundations when a flood is expected. The table at the top of this page compares them.

That depends on the type and the model. Standard SLAMDAM units are 67, 100 or 120 cm high and retain water up to about 50, 80 and 100 cm respectively; custom sizes are possible within limits.

That depends on the type, the length, the number of people and how well the deployment is planned. For SLAMDAM we plan, as a rule of thumb, one day for up to 500 metres of barrier; more people and pumps make it faster. In Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, 200 metres of SLAMDAM was deployed within one day, including transport and site preparation. Pumps and filling times are on the SLAMDAM page.

That depends on the type of barrier, the length and the site. For SLAMDAM, as an indication, two people can deploy 100 metres of the 67 cm unit in about an hour. In practice it often takes longer: it depends on the number of people, the number and type of pumps, and the distance to the water source.

That depends on the length and height of the barrier, the site and the services you need, such as a site assessment and training, so we make a quote for each project. SLAMDAM can also be rented or leased, which keeps the initial investment low.

SLAMDAM is made to be reused over many years: its material lasts 40+ years. It comes with a warranty of five years on the EPDM membrane and three years on the seams, counted from delivery. The warranty covers defects in material or workmanship under normal use, not damage from sharp objects or misuse.

Yes. SLAMDAM protects harbour facilities at the Port of Grindavík in Iceland, and it can be filled with seawater. Where there are waves, strong currents or floating debris, we assess the site first. SLAMDAM was also tested at full scale with waves in the Delta Flume of Deltares.

In practice, SLAMDAM has stayed in place when water came over it, for example in Pakistan. Water that collects behind the barrier does affect its stability.

No. Temporary barriers hold back water that flows over land; they do not stop groundwater seeping up behind them. We place SLAMDAM so that, as far as possible, no water flows underneath it; water that still comes through is pumped away where possible. Take this into account when you plan where a barrier goes.

Yes. SLAMDAM is dual-purpose: it helps prevent flood losses when water levels rise, and it can store water in the dry season. That is especially useful in areas facing both floods and droughts. In Laikipia, Kenya, water stored in the barrier was used for tree planting.

Ready to protect your community
from floods with SLAMDAM barriers?

Tell us where the water comes from and what you need to protect. We assess the site and advise on the right configuration.

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