The source of the Tees rises on the eastward slope of Cross Fell in the Pennines at a height of about 750 m, and flows eastwards for about 85 miles (137 km) before emptying into the North Sea. The Tees drains an area of 708 miles2 (1834 km2).
The Upper Course
The Upper Course: is characterised by low discharge but high velocity. Much of the land is either open moorland or rough grazing, where the main land use is sheep farming. A series of reservoirs have been built to provide water for the industrial cities to the east; e.g. Cow Green reservoir on the R. Tees itself.
High Force waterfall: is one of the main features on the River Tees and is one of the highest waterfalls in the UK.1. The river flows over a layer of hard, basaltic (Volcanic) rock called Whinstone which is difficult to erode. 2. Underneath the Whinstone is softer limestone. The limestone erodes backwards, undercutting the Whinstone, which eventually collapses. 3. The river erodes a deep ‘plunge pool’ at the base of the waterfall. Debris from the waterfall helps erode the plunge pool and the undercut. 4. Over thousands of years the waterfall has eroded backwards, to leave a gorge downstream of High Force. |
The Middle Course
Meanders: are major features of the middle course of the River Tees. The flood plain either side of the river is very fertile and as a result is used for intensive agriculture. Settlement first developed within the meanders for defensive reasons: but this has restricted growth in recent times in the town of Yarm
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The Lower Course
In the lower course of the river it opens into the Tees Estuary: there is a lot of deposition evidenced by mud flats at low tide. The land use either side of the river is industrial, with oil refineries, aluminium smelters and so on. The mud of the estuary is an important ecosystem, supporting a wide range of birds and other flora and fauna. Pollution has always been a problem in the river, both domestic and industrial; but the river has become a lot cleaner as industry has closed down and industrial waste has been controlled by the Government and the E.U.
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