The wave transmission and energy dissipation characteristics were investigated experimentally in the Hydraulics Research Institute (HRI) wave basin. A horizontal surface wave plate barrier was used in order to study its engineering characteristics and to establish its design criteria. .The investigation was carried for a wide range of wave heights and periods using JONSWAP spectrum. The structure was placed and tested at three different water depths. The plate moved up to test different submergence depths. It was found that, the submerged horizontal plate reduced the transmitted wave and increased the wave energy dissipation.