Venice has battled rising water levels since the fifth century. But today, the water seems to be winning. Several factors, both natural and man-made, cause Venice to flood about 100 times a year — usually from October until late winter — a phenomenon called the acqua alta.

Yes, the relative water level in Venice is still rising due to a combination of two factors: eustasy (global sea level rise) and subsidence (the city itself sinking into the soft lagoon sediment). Historically, Venice has been prone to "Acqua Alta" (high water) events, but the frequency and intensity of these floods have increased significantly over the last century. To combat this, the city recently activated the MOSE project (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico), a multi-billion dollar system of mobile yellow gates at the three inlets of the lagoon. When tides are predicted to reach 110cm or higher, these gates rise to block the sea from entering the lagoon, successfully keeping the city dry during recent storm surges. While MOSE is a successful short-term barrier, experts warn that it may not be enough for the long term if sea levels rise by more than 50cm, as the gates would have to stay closed so often they would stagnate the lagoon's ecosystem. Venice remains in a constant, high-tech battle against the rising Adriatic Sea.