LOTUK- River tees Case Study Info

Question 1

What is the length of the River Tees?

Answer 1

137 km

Question 2

What is the altitude at the source of the River Tees?

Answer 2

893 m above sea level

Question 3

Where is the source of the River Tees located?

Answer 3

Cross Fell in the Cumbria Moorlands

Question 4

What is the annual rainfall at the source of the River Tees?

Answer 4

2000 mm

Question 5

What is the largest settlement on the River Tees?

Answer 5

Middlesbrough

Question 6

What is the geology along the River Tees at the source?

Answer 6

Peat soils above sands and shales

Question 7

What is the geology along the upper and middle course of the River Tees?

Answer 7

Limestone

Question 8

What is the geology along the lower course of the River Tees?

Answer 8

Sandstone overlain by alluvium deposits

Question 9

How long have river processes been shaping the landscape?

Answer 9

8-10,000 years

Question 10

How does climate influence geomorphic processes?

Answer 10

Wet, cold climate in upland areas of upper course means lots of freeze thaw weathering
- This breaks up sharp bits of rock which end up in the river and are used for erosive processes like abrasion
High rainfall in the mountainous regions means higher river discharges
- This increases the carrying capacity of rivers
- This results in more downstream erosion and flooding in lower course
- These floods deposit material on the floodplains of the lower course
Higher rainfall in upper course causes mass movements as land is saturated and heavy
Summer warmth increases rates of chemical weathering on exposed rocks

Question 11

How does geology influence geomorphic processes?

Answer 11

More resistant rocks in upper course therefore steeper sided valleys
Limestone is porous so more infiltration and less surface runoff
Limestone reacts with rainwater = chemical weathering
Different rock hardness at High Force means differential rates of erosion

Question 12

What is the name and drop size of the waterfall on the River Tees?

Answer 12

High Force Waterfall, 21 m

Question 13

What type of geology is present at High Force Waterfall?

Answer 13

Harder Whin Sill caprock and softer underlying limestone

Question 14

What has the Whin Sill intrusion done to the River Tees?

Answer 14

Prevented a smooth concave long profile, creating a knickpoint and a convex profile.

Question 15

What are the features of the upper course of the River Tees?

Answer 15

V-shaped valleys, interlocking spurs, High Force waterfall and gorge, rapids

Question 16

What are the features of the middle course of the River Tees?

Answer 16

Meanders, oxbow lakes, and meander scars

Question 17

What are the features of the lower course of the River Tees?

Answer 17

Meanders, oxbow lakes, meander scars, floodplains, levees, estuary

Question 18

Name a feature of the River Tees.

Answer 18

High Force waterfall

Question 19

How many reservoirs are there along the River Tees?

Answer 19

9

Question 20

What is the name of the upper course reservoir on the River Tees?

Answer 20

Cow Green

Question 21

What is the size of Cow Green Reservoir?

Answer 21

41 million m³

Question 22

What is the impact of reservoirs on geomorphic processes?

Answer 22

Stops flow of river and therefore transport of material downstream
Sediment builds up in rivers
Prevents downstream flooding and therefore stops fertile alluvium being deposited on lower course of river

Question 23

Where is the Mandale Loop meander cut off located?

Answer 23

Stockton

Question 24

What is the Mandale Loop meander cut off?

Answer 24

It shortens the river by 4 km.

Question 25

What is the impact of the Mandale Loop meander cut off on geomorphic processes?

Answer 25

Reroutes the river to a faster and steeper section
Prevents flooding on the wider loop

Question 26

When was the Tees Barrage opened?

Answer 26

1995

Question 27

What was the cost of the Tees Barrage?

Answer 27

£50 million

Question 28

What is the size of the Tees Barrage?

Answer 28

70 m wide

Question 29

What is the impact of the Tees Barrage on geomorphic processes?

Answer 29

Stops tidal flows upstream, preventing high tides from flooding the lower course.

Question 30

What was the cost of the Yarm flood defenses?

Answer 30

£2 million

Question 31

What flood event do the Yarm flood defenses deal with?

Answer 31

1 in 100 year flood event

Question 32

What is the impact of Yarm flood defenses on geomorphic processes?

Answer 32

Earth embankments allow higher discharge in river before flooding and therefore reduce deposition on floodplains
Gabions reduce erosive processes along the banks of the river
Concrete walls with flood gates alter the flow

Question 33

What is dredging in relation to river management?

Answer 33

It is soft management and not hard management.

Question 34

What is the impact of dredging on geomorphic processes?

Answer 34

Increases river capacity, leading to less flooding and deposition.

Question 35

What has been done in terms of afforestation in the upper course?

Answer 35

Coniferous forests have been planted.

Question 36

What is the impact of afforestation on geomorphic processes?

Answer 36

Afforestation causes more water to be taken up by vegetation and therefore less surface runoff
Less surface runoff means less eroded material moved in to the river channels
It also means less water in the rivers and therefore a lower erosive potential
Trees bind the soils and therefore less movement of the soils