Cod Beck, North Yorkshire

History

The river extends for 20 mi 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 mi south of Topcliffe. In 1767 an Act of Parliament was obtained (**** (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. The river flowing through Thirsk powered at least one mill, the Union Mill, which ground corn. Osmotherley had five mills which were powered by the river; three textile, one corn, and one timber.

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%. The highest water level recorded at Thirsk was 2.32 m In January 2021.

The name Cod Beck is a derivative of Cold Beck. 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. The total area that the beck drains is just over 8,912 ha.

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.

Settlements

from source

• Osmotherley
• Ellerbeck
• Foxton
• Kirby Sigston
• Thornton-le-Street
• North Kilvington
• South Kilvington, where Spital Beck and Whitelass Beck enter the river
• Thirsk
• Sowerby
• Dalton

(Joins Swale)

References

Sources

References

1. (1968). "English river-names.". Clarendon Press.
2. "Union Mill, Thirsk – The Mills Archive".
3. (1984). "The visitor's guide to the North York Moors, York and the Yorkshire coast". Moorland.
4. (1970). "Industrial archaeology in North-East Yorkshire; list of sites area II - Ryedale and the Hambletons". Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society.
5. (28 January 2011). "Flood protection schemes dropped as region's budget slashed by 41pc". Yorkshire Post.
6. "Cod Beck level at Thirsk - GOV.UK".
7. (14 March 2014). "Speculation over unusual village name". Darlington and Stockton Times.
8. (1901). "The geological history of the rivers of East Yorkshire, being the Sedgwick prize essay for the year 1900". C. J. Clay & sons.
9. "Cod Beck from Source to Broad Beck {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer".
10. "Cod Beck from Broad Beck to Spital Beck {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer".
11. "Cod Beck from Spital Beck to River Swale {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer".
12. (27 April 2002). "Draft report on one day visit to Cod & Broad Becks, North Yorkshire".
13. "Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan Osmotherley".
14. (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". J. M. Dent.