Cod Beck, North Yorkshire
| Cod Beck | |
|---|---|
Cod Beck Weir, Thirsk | |
| Location | |
| Country | England |
| County | North Yorkshire |
| Unitary authority | North Yorkshire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | River Swale, Yorkshire |
• location | Leckby Grange, North Yorkshire |
| Discharge | |
| • location | River Swale |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Oakdale Beck, Howl Beck, Broad Beck, Spital Beck, Whitelass Beck, Moor Stell, Paradise Beck, Willow Beck |
| • right | Great Pasture Beck |
Cod Beck is a river in North Yorkshire, England. It has a catchment area of 8,912 hectares (34.41 sq mi). It flows for over 20 miles (32 km) from Osmotherley, through Thirsk, and enters the River Swale just to the south of Topcliffe.
History
The river extends for 20 miles (32 km) from above Cod Beck Reservoir at Osmotherley on the edge of the North York Moors through Thirsk and on to join the River Swale about a 1-mile (1.6 km) south of Topcliffe.[1][2] In 1767 an Act of Parliament was obtained (Codbreck [sic] Brook Navigation Act 1766 (7 Geo. 3. c. 95)) to canalise the river from its mouth on the Swale, as far upstream as Thirsk; but apart from one set of locks, this scheme failed.[3] The river flowing through Thirsk powered at least one mill, the Union Mill, which ground corn.[4][5] Osmotherley had five mills which were powered by the river; three textile, one corn, and one timber.[6]
Cod Beck has a long history of flooding Thirsk and a feasibility study completed in April 2005 recommended additional flood defences and upstream storage. In 2011, a proposed flood defence scheme in Thirsk was cancelled due to the Environment Agency having its budget cut by 41%.[7] The highest water level recorded at Thirsk was 2.32 metres (7 ft 7 in) In January 2021.[8]
The name Cod Beck is a derivative of Cold Beck.[9] The surrounding topography means the beck follows an unusual course, running westwards at first away from the Hambleton Hills, then heading south at Foxton until it meets the Swale.[10] The total area that the beck drains is just over 8,912 hectares (34.41 sq mi).[11][12][13]
The river quality is recognised as being good, and supports native white-clawed crayfish, grayling, trout, stone loach, bullhead and lamphrey. Otters have also been noted along the watercourse.[14]
Settlements
from source
- Osmotherley[15]
- Ellerbeck
- Foxton[10]
- Kirby Sigston
- Thornton-le-Street
- North Kilvington[16]
- South Kilvington, where Spital Beck and Whitelass Beck enter the river[17]
- Thirsk[16]
- Sowerby
- Dalton
(Joins Swale)
References
- ^ Page 1968, p. 70.
- ^ Ekwall, Eilert (1968). English river-names (1 ed.). Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 85. ISBN 0-19-869119-X.
- ^ Page 1968, p. 60.
- ^ "Union Mill, Thirsk – The Mills Archive". new.millsarchive.org. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ Spencer, Brian (1984). The visitor's guide to the North York Moors, York and the Yorkshire coast. Ashbourne: Moorland. p. 24. ISBN 0861901142.
- ^ Rutter, J (1970). "Industrial archaeology in North-East Yorkshire; list of sites area II - Ryedale and the Hambletons". Transactions of the Scarborough and District Archaeological Society. II (13). Scarborough: Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society: 41. ISSN 1474-1229. OCLC 2324885.
- ^ "Flood protection schemes dropped as region's budget slashed by 41pc". Yorkshire Post. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ "Cod Beck level at Thirsk - GOV.UK". check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Speculation over unusual village name". Darlington and Stockton Times. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ a b Reed, Frederick Richard Cowper (1901). The geological history of the rivers of East Yorkshire, being the Sedgwick prize essay for the year 1900. London: C. J. Clay & sons. p. 37. OCLC 11368522.
- ^ "Cod Beck from Source to Broad Beck | Catchment Data Explorer | Catchment Data Explorer". environment.data.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Cod Beck from Broad Beck to Spital Beck | Catchment Data Explorer | Catchment Data Explorer". environment.data.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Cod Beck from Spital Beck to River Swale | Catchment Data Explorer | Catchment Data Explorer". environment.data.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ Giles, Nick (27 April 2002). "Draft report on one day visit to Cod & Broad Becks, North Yorkshire" (PDF). wildtrout.org. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan Osmotherley" (PDF). northyorkmoors.org.uk. p. 7. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ a b Fletcher, Joseph Smith (1901). A picturesque history of Yorkshire, being an account of the history, topography, and antiquities of the cities, towns and villages of the county of York, founded on personal observations made during many journeys through the Three Ridings. London: J. M. Dent. p. 366. OCLC 1050768762.
- ^ Page 1968, p. 40.
Sources
- Page, William, ed. (1968) [1923]. The Victoria history of the county of York, North Riding volume II. London: Dawsons of Pall Mall. ISBN 0712903100.