Tees Basin Local Case Study

Question 1

describe the location of the tees basin

Answer 1

in the north east of england, flowing from cross fell to the north sea

Question 2

name some urbanised areas the river tees flows through

Answer 2

bernard castle , darlington, middlesbrough , yarm

Question 3

what are some physical characteristics of the river tees in the upper course

Answer 3

-steep sided V shape valleys
-more vegetation, but a lot of deforestation in the last 1000 yrs
-peat soil, stores a lot of water and carbon
-first place frontal rainfall will pass

Question 4

what are some physical characteristics of the lower course of the river tees

Answer 4

-low lying flood plain
-drier climate, less rainfall especially relief rainfall
-more alluvium soils which are very fertile and have high rates of infiltration
-more arable farming and crops here

Question 5

what are some human characteristics of the upper course of the tees basin

Answer 5

-limited settlements, some small villages and farms
-some leisure/recreation at high forge which attracts natural tourism
-lots of hill sheep farming, grazing so little need for irrigation
-large amounts of dams and reservoirs e.g cow green

Question 6

what are some human characteristics of the lower course of the tees basin

Answer 6

-major urban developments such as darlington (100K pop), teeside (300K pop)
-more pasture farming, dairy and beef, higher demand for irrigation
-previous industry will have used alot of water and river streams for dumping

Question 7

is rainfall higher in Middleton in Teesdale or Darlington

Answer 7

middleton, it’s in the upper course

Question 8

is temperature higher in darlington or middle in teesdale

Answer 8

darlington, more urbanised, urban heat island, albedo

Question 9

does darlington ever see soil moisture deficit on average

Answer 9

no

Question 10

will darlington start to see more soil moisture deficit and why

Answer 10

yes, because of a lack of rainfall in the summer due to climate change

Question 11

why woukd middleton on teesdale have a longer period of surplus than darlington

Answer 11

because it’s higher up course closer to the pennines, which means it will experience more relief (orographic) rainfall

Question 12

when did the tees basin experience and major flood

Answer 12

25th september 2012

Question 13

what were some physical characteristics of this flood

Answer 13

-most intense storm here in 30 years
-frontal rainfall, in area of low pressure
- 973mb pressure, lowest since 1981
-2x normal amount of rain in september

Question 14

what we’re some human causes/influences of this flood

Answer 14

-urbanisation, many impermeable surfaces in darlo and teeside caused little infiltration and mkre surface run off
-agricultural and farming intensified, use of machinery and soil compression
-the removal of hedgerows on a small scale reduced interception etc.

Question 15

what we’re some impacts of this flood event

Answer 15

-major road closures on the A66 for example
- ppl evacuated into temporary housing
-east coast mainline train closed
-more than 100 vehicles trapped on a 30 mile stretch on the A1

Question 16

what has been put in place to manage future foods in the tees basin

Answer 16

- many reservoirs especially in the upper course have been put in place
- £1.2 million funded for flood defence scheme ‘Ludstrom Beck’
-Implementing more SUDS in all new residential areas e.g wynyard, faverdale, yarm etc
-cutting meanders
-floodplain zoning etc