3.3.4 UK River: River Tees - Case Study

Location

River Courses

Upper Course

• Characteristics:
  • Hard impermeable rocks.
  • Vertical erosion has formed a V-shaped valley.
• High Force Waterfall:
  • UK's largest waterfall at 21 meters high.
  • Located in the upper course.
  • Formed by hard rock called Whin Sill (or Whinstone) overlying soft rocks (sandstone and shale).

Middle Course

• Erosion:
  • As the River Tees starts to erode sideways (lateral erosion), it forms meanders.
  • Meanders can be identified near Barnard Castle.

Lower Course

• Near Yarm, meanders are much larger, and oxbow lakes have formed.
• Levees have formed where the river has flooded.
• Large estuary with mudflats and sandbanks supports wildlife (e.g., Seal Sands protected area).

Human Uses

• Farming:
  • Sheep farming in the upper course.
• Tourism:
  • The Pennine Way walk and the High Force Waterfall.
• Transport & Settlement:
  • The River Tees has been important for transport.
  • Towns like Yarm owe their existence to trading stops on the river.