The Thames Flood Barrier was a flood control structure on the River Thames. On 24 December 2007, it was partially destroyed by the Tenth Doctor. He used explosives to blow up strategic points of the structure. This let the Thames flood the abandoned Torchwood Institute laboratory underneath and flow to a hole in the middle of the secret base. This hole extended all the way to the centre of the Earth. The river water drowned the children of the Racnoss, who were emerging from the hole. (TV: The Runaway Bride)