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River Tees

The River Tees is navigable from Worsall Weir to the North Sea.

Map of the navigable River Tees

Facts & Stats

26.7 miles

(43 km)

The length of the River Tees that is navigable.

1 lock

The Tees Barrage

The Tees has brought prosperity to the local towns of Yarm, Middlesborough and Stockton. The Tees Barrage, built in 1995, has created 11 miles of non-tidal navigation up to Worsall.

Waterway notes

Maximum boat sizes

  • Length: 82′ (25.0 metres) – Tees Barrage
  • Beam: 20′ (6.0 metres) – Tees Barrage
  • Height: 17′ 8″ (5.4 metres)
  • Draught: 8′ 2″ (2.5 metres)

Useful Info

The Barrage and the river upstream is managed by Canal & River Trust. The river below the Barrage is tidal and is managed by PD Ports, successors to the Tees and Hartlepool Port Authority. PD Ports do not encourage navigation by recreational vessels, and charge for use of the tidal river.

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.