River Tee

Geography Case Study

The Tees is a river in North England. It rises on the eastern slope of Cross Fell in the Pennines, and flows eastwards for about 85 miles (137 km) to reach the North Sea

The lower section reaches the boundary between the ceremonial counties of County Durham and North Yorkshire, while in the highest part of its course it forms the boundary between the historic counties of Westmorland and Durham. The upper section of the river (Teesdale) has a desolate grandeur, surrounded by hills, some exceeding 2500 feet (762 m), and bleak moorland. This area is part of the North Pennine Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
A succession of falls or rapids, where the river travels hard black basalt rocks, is called "Cauldron Snout". From immediately below this to its mouth, the Tees forms the boundary between the traditional counties of Durham and Yorkshire almost without a break, although since 1974 much of it lies wholly in Durham. The dale becomes bolder below Cauldron Snout, and trees appear, contrasting with the broken rocks where the water dashes over High Force

How the Waterfalls Retreat

The waterfalls are formed by the soft rock being eroded at the the bottom of the fall where the waters are swashing around. The hard black basalt rocks aren't eroded on top. When the softer rocks are eroded there is an overhang of the basalt rocks. This basalt rock then falls moving the waterfall back down the river.

What the Land is used For
The land around the river is predominantly used for farming, it has traditionally been the main source of income in the area but tourism is gradually becoming more popular. Towards the mouth of the river the surrounding land becomes more industrialised through the city of Middlesbrough.