Tees Barrage: Engineering the Estuary
A Comprehensive Examination of River Control and Infrastructure Innovation.
Discover More ๐ Explore Design ๐๏ธDive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Overview
Purpose and Function
The Tees Barrage is a significant civil engineering structure situated across the River Tees in Northern England. Its primary functions are to regulate the river's flow, mitigate the risk of flooding, and control the effects of tidal fluctuations. This intervention transforms a section of the river into a permanent, high-level body of water, akin to a lake, extending upstream towards Yarm.
Strategic Location
Positioned between the towns of Stockton-on-Tees and Thornaby, the barrage serves as a critical boundary. Road access is primarily facilitated via Thornaby on the south bank, with limited access to the north bank. The waters impounded by the barrage are actively utilized for various watersports, including canoeing, jet skiing, and dragon boat racing, and feature a dedicated 1-kilometer rowing course.
Development and Legacy
The Tees Barrage project was conceived and developed by the Teesside Development Corporation, an entity established to regenerate the region. Its construction represents a substantial investment in regional infrastructure and environmental management, creating new recreational opportunities and enhancing the urban landscape.
Structural Design
Barrage and Bridge Structure
The barrage itself features a substantial concrete base, measuring 70 meters wide, 32 meters long, and 5 meters thick, supported by five robust concrete piers. To manage water flow, four 8-meter tall, 50-tonne fish belly plates, operated by hydraulic rams, are integrated into the structure. The accompanying road bridge is a 600-tonne tubular steel arched viaduct, designed to withstand significant loads, comprising eight welded steel arches, each 17.5 meters wide.
Materials and Features
The construction utilized approximately 16,500 cubic meters of reinforced concrete and 650 tonnes of structural steel. A distinctive 29-meter tower of lights, adorned with reflective elements, stands on the central pier. The design also incorporates two pavilions, one housing the control room and administrative offices, and includes a projected visitors' center. The barrage is engineered for a service life of 120 years and was part of a broader regeneration effort encompassing 100 hectares of adjacent land.
Construction Process
Project Initiation and Design
The project's foundation was laid through an Act of Parliament initiated by the Teesside Development Corporation. A design competition was held, with Ove Arup and The Napper Partnership emerging as the selected designers for the barrage and bridge complex. Construction commenced on November 4, 1991, and was completed in 1995.
Innovative Construction Methodology
Tarmac Construction, the primary contractor, employed an innovative approach by diverting the River Tees around the construction site. This allowed the barrage to be built "in the dry," thereby avoiding the complexities and costs associated with cofferdams and jetties. The method necessitated the installation of deep pressure relief wells to manage groundwater and prevent uplift of the exposed riverbed until the barrage was operational and the area reflooded.
Operational Management
Inauguration and Stewardship
The Tees Barrage officially opened on April 22, 1995, marked by an international competition on the adjacent white water course. Its formal inauguration was conducted by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on July 17, 1995. Responsibility for the barrage and the associated white water course transitioned from English Partnerships to British Waterways (now the Canal & River Trust) in April 2001.
River Management and Environmental Considerations
The Canal & River Trust manages approximately 11 miles of navigable waterway upstream of the barrage. Below the barrage, operational control rests with the Tees and Hartlepool Port Authority. A notable operational aspect is the accumulation of natural debris, such as branches, which are captured by the barrage. Studies have explored the feasibility of converting this collected biomass into energy.
Barge Lock Facilities
Lock Dimensions and Functionality
The barrage incorporates a barge lock designed to facilitate the passage of light river traffic. It is a single-rise lock equipped with two pairs of lock gates. The lock's dimensions are: length 24.88 meters, beam 6.08 meters, height 5.37 meters, with a draught of 2.48 meters. A hydraulically operated, single-leaf bascule bridge spans the lock entrance, allowing for the passage of craft when the lock is in operation.
Access and Usage
While direct access to the barrage structure itself is restricted, the integrated footbridge provides excellent vantage points for observing the barrage's mechanical components, including the fish belly plates and hydraulic systems. Usage of the lock is complimentary, though permits are required for navigating the river both upstream and downstream of the barrage.
Tidal Turbine Test Facility
Innovation in Marine Energy
Opened on June 8, 2007, this specialized facility was established for the testing of prototype marine current turbines and related devices. Operated and funded by the National Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC), it leverages the hydraulic head available at the barge lock. Water is released through sluices at controlled velocities to simulate steady ocean current conditions downstream, providing a controlled environment for performance evaluation.
Pioneering Turbine Testing
The facility has hosted various turbine technologies, beginning with the Evopod, a semi-submerged floating tidal turbine developed by Ocean Flow Energy Ltd. This initiative underscores the barrage's role not only in river management but also as a platform for advancing renewable energy technologies.
International Whitewater Course
Venue for Competitive Watersports
As an integral part of the barrage project, a purpose-built artificial whitewater course was constructed at a cost of ยฃ4.6 million. This facility has since become a prominent venue, hosting numerous significant watersport competitions. Notably, it was developed in anticipation of the 2012 London Olympics.
Sustainable Energy Generation
Beyond its sporting function, the whitewater course is engineered to be environmentally conscious. It generates its own green energy, which is then fed back into the National Grid, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable operational practices.
Fish Pass and Migration
Facilitating Fish Passage
To enable the migration of species such as salmon and sea trout past the barrage, a dedicated fish pass has been installed. This feature includes a fish counter and a viewing area, allowing for monitoring and observation of fish movements. It is situated adjacent to the north bank pavilion.
Challenges and Monitoring
Concerns have been raised by angling groups regarding the efficiency of the fish pass entrance and its impact on fish migration, with observations of increased seal predation. The fish pass currently holds provisional approval from the Environment Agency. Interim measures, including the use of fish pen stocks and adjusted lock operations, are employed to assist fish passage. A three-year electronic fish tagging survey was commissioned in April 2008 to better understand the interactions between wildlife and fish migration at the barrage site.
Visual Documentation
Photographic Archive
Extensive photographic documentation exists, capturing various aspects of the Tees Barrage, including its downstream views, the north gate with its fish pass entrance, the lifting lock bridge, hydraulic mechanisms, the tower of lights, the control room pavilion, and aerial perspectives. While visual records are available, this platform focuses on textual and structural information.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "Tees Barrage" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This content has been generated by an AI and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is based on data derived from publicly available sources, which may not be entirely current or exhaustive. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional engineering, environmental, or construction advice.
This is not professional advice. Always consult with qualified engineers, environmental scientists, or relevant authorities for specific project requirements, safety protocols, or regulatory compliance related to infrastructure and river management. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.
The creators of this page are not liable for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented.