Flood management in the uk: river tees

• The River Tees rises on the slopes of Cross Fell at a height of 893 metres.
• The area receives over 2,000 millimetres of rain each year.
• The rainfall reaches the river quickly because the slopes are steep and very little water can infiltrate due to the impermeable rocks and saturated peat.
• In the lower course of the river there are towns such as Yarm, Stockton and Middlesbrough.
• The area is densely populated and there are also large industrial areas such as the ICI chemical works.
• Parts of the river have been reinforced with concrete walls covered with stone.
• The walls have flood gates in them to allow access by people and vehicles.
• A new landscaped earth embankment has been built to protect Yarm School.
• Gabions (rocks in wire cages) have also been put in place to reduce erosion along embankments.
• Pipes have been laid to redirect the flow of a tributary, the Skyterring Beck.
• New flood warning systems and flood plain zoning have been introduced.
• The Tees barrage includes a lock that allows boats to pass through as well as a fish pass, a road bridge and Britain’s finest white-water course.
• The cost of the Yarm scheme was £21million / Barrage £54million.
• Regeneration of derelict areas has brought new jobs and businesses to Teeside, including shops, camping / caravanning sites.
• Salmon have returned to the river Tees.
• Planting 100,000 trees and shrubs has created new areas of woodland and increased biodiversity.
• Concrete is not environmentally friendly to produce and can look ugly when exposed under normal flow conditions.