Tees Barrage, Lock and barrage system in Stockton-on-Tees, England
Tees Barrage is a combined lock, dam, and footbridge structure spanning the River Tees in Northern England. The system includes a navigation lock for boats, water management channels, and accessible pathways connecting different riverside areas.
Construction started in 1991 and the barrage opened in 1995, marking a turning point in the city's relationship with its river. This water management structure replaced older flood control methods and enabled new uses of the waterway.
The barrage area has become a focal point where locals and visitors gather for riverside activities and leisure. The transformation of this industrial stretch into public green space changed how people relate to the river in their daily lives.
The barrage is easily accessible on foot and open during daylight hours, though conditions vary by season and weather. Wear appropriate footwear as walkways can become slippery when wet.
A fish pass with a viewing area lets visitors watch salmon and sea trout move through the barrage structure during their upstream journey. This window into natural river cycles shows how engineered structures can support wildlife migration.
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