The flow over a fence and a block mounted in a fully developed channel flow is experimentally investigated as a function of the Reynolds number, blockage ratio and length-to-height ratio using a laser-Doppler-anemometer. The information obtained includes the location and size of the primary and secondary recirculation zones, and profiles of the mean streamwise velocity component. The experiments were carried out in a channel for a Reynolds number in the range 150 < ReH < 4500. Comparisons are drawn between the obstacle flow and the backward-facing step flow.