The writer Eric Blair chose the pen name under which he would later become famous, "George Orwell," because of his love for the river.

In order to reduce this risk, the Environment Agency implemented a programme of works expected to cost a total of £58 million to improve the flood defences on both banks of the tidal river and of the Port of Ipswich.

In November 2014, a contract for £28 million was awarded to VBA, a joint venture between VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and Atkins, for construction of the barrier and associated flood defences on the banks of the river.

The barrier is designed to prevent tidal surges passing further up stream, and to enable downstream fluvial flows to be controlled.

[8] The new barrier was officially opened in early February 2019 by Therese Coffey, Floods Minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, by which time the cost of the project had risen to £67.4 million.

While most of the funding came from the Environment Agency, some was also provided by Ipswich Borough Council, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, and UK Power Networks.

The naval shore establishment at HMS Ganges also featured in the film being used as a site for Chinese gun batteries.