River tees alternative case study for rivers Flashcards
(9 cards)
Describe the course of the tees:
The River Tees is located in the north of England. The source of the River Tees is located in the Pennines and it flows east to its
mouth where the river joins the North Sea.
Where is the source?
The River Tees originates at Cross Fell in the Pennines, at an elevation of about 750 meters. Annual rainfall is high, exceeding 2000 mm in some areas, leading to the formation of the stream.
Describe the upper course of the tees
The upper course has hard impermeable rocks. Here,
vertical erosion has formed a V-shaped valley.
High Force, the UK’s largest waterfall at 21 metres high, is located in the upper course. An area of hard rock, called Whin Sill (or Whinstone), is located above a layer of soft rocks (sandstone and shale) and together they create this impressive waterfall.
In this section, the river winds through hard rock, creating interlocking spurs as it erodes the softer rock in between.
Describe the Middle course of the tees?
Meanders: As the River Tees starts to erode sideways (lateral erosion), it forms meanders. These can be identified in the middle course near Barnard Castle.
Floodplains: The widening of the valley allows for the formation of flat floodplains, which are valuable for agriculture. During periods of heavy rain, the river can flood these areas, depositing nutrient-rich silt.
Describe the lower course of the tees?
Near Yarm, the meanders in the lower course are much larger, and oxbow lakes have formed. In this area there are also
levees which have formed when the river has flooded.
The River Tees has a very large estuary with mudflats and sandbanks which supports wildlife in the area. Sites such as Seal Sands are protected areas.
As the river approaches the sea, the channel becomes much wider and deeper. The river slows considerably as it meanders across a wide, flat floodplain. The river’s lower course is affected by tidal flows, with the Tees becoming partially tidal near Stockton-on-Tees. Humans have heavily modified the river to support navigation and control flooding.
How has human activity shaped the lower course of the tees?
Tees Barrage: Built in 1995, the Tees Barrage controls the river’s flow to prevent flooding and support recreational activities. It also ensures the river remains navigable for shipping by maintaining a consistent water level upstream.
Mandale Cut: To improve navigation, an artificial cut bypassed a large meander known as the Mandale Loop, shortening the river by approximately 4 km.
Industrialisation: The lower Tees has been heavily industrialised, particularly around Middlesbrough, where the river supports large-scale steel production, chemical works, and port activities.
At Yarm, new policies of floodplain zoning have been introduced since the 1995 floods where building is discouraged on flood prone zones and an earth embankment has been built to protect against flood damage to properties.
How has human activity shaped the middle course of the tees?
Agriculture is more prominent in the middle course, with farms utilising the fertile land along the river. The increased water volume due to tributaries joining the Tees also provides a stable water supply for irrigation and other uses.
How has human activity shaped the upper course of the tees?
Cow Green Reservoir, built in 1970, is the primary human intervention in the upper course. The reservoir was constructed to supply water to the growing industrial areas downstream, particularly Teesside.
Name some settlements on the tees?
Barnard Castle, Darlington, Yarm and Middlesbrough
(From upper course to lower course)
