Abstract: The water barrier is comprised of a number of interconnected modules, that contain expansive material (such as polymer powder). Each module has inlets that allow rising water to enter the interior volume of the module so that it inflates from a flattened configuration to a four sided shape. The shape is wedge shaped and the modules are alternated so that the narrow end of the module is toward the rising water on one module and the wide end is next to the rising water on the adjacent module, so that pressure from the rising water is transferred to adjacent modules from module to module and ultimately to an anchoring system.