Thames Flood Barrier

The Thames Flood Barrier was a flood control structure on the River Thames.

On 25 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 drowned the children of the Racnoss, who were emerging from this hole. It extended all the way to the centre the Earth. (DW: The Runaway Bride)

In an alternate timeline, the encounter between the Doctor and the Empress ended differently. She was still killed, but the Doctor also died. This led to a chain of events that drastically altered history. The Thames remained closed for over a year, resulting in great financial problems for Britain. (DW: Turn Left)