River

Programme Outline

00.00 — 01.05

We glimpse the enormous variety of scenery found within a limited space.

01.05 — 04.15

The wet and extensive moorlands where the Tees rises.

04.15 — 05.46

Valley and load characteristics in the river’s upper course are described.

05.46 — 07.14

One part of this upper section provides a good reservoir site, while in the stream itself bed-load is becoming rounded and the valley shape is changing.

07.14 — 07.47

As the river descends, pasture and cultivation replace open moorland.

07.47 — 11.31

At the dramatic High Force waterfall, the entire river thunders through a 3-metre gap over the resistant whinstone. Waterfall and gorge formation are explained. We look at some other results of the whinstone’s hardness — for example, it provides an excellent site for parts of Hadrian’s Wall.

11.31 — 12.42

In the middle section of the river, bed-load has changed again; the volume has increased, and land use changes.

12.42 — 15.47

The programme focuses on the impressive meanders of the lower course of the Tees. These were a problem for old trading ports like Yarm and Stockton.

15.47 — 18.33

The natural and artificial landscape of Teesmouth. Bed-load is tested again. Heavy chemical and steel industries crowd the river banks.