Risedale Beck facts for kids
Risedale Beck is a small river in North Yorkshire, England. It starts on a place called Hipswell Moor, which is close to Catterick Garrison. This little river flows towards the east.
The name Risedale Beck comes from an old language called Old Norse. This language was spoken by Vikings who lived in England a long time ago. The name might mean "Risi's Valley" (Risi was a person's name) or "a valley covered with bushes."
As Risedale Beck flows through Catterick Garrison, it changes its name. It becomes known as Leadmill Gill, and sometimes even Cottages Beck. This stream then joins another one called Colburn Beck. Finally, Colburn Beck flows into the much larger River Swale. From where Risedale Beck begins to where it meets the River Swale, the journey is about 10.4 kilometers (about 6.5 miles) long.
A Home for Wildlife
The northern side of Risedale Beck runs along the edge of a special place called Foxglove Covert. This is a nature reserve, which means it's a protected area for plants and animals. What's interesting is that this nature reserve is located on land used by the military!
Animals of Foxglove Covert
Foxglove Covert is a nationally recognized nature reserve. Many different kinds of wildlife live there. For example, people have seen otters, which are playful, furry animals that love water. These otters have even been filmed fishing in Risedale Beck. This shows how clean and healthy the beck is for wildlife.
When the Beck Gets Big
Rivers and streams can sometimes get very full, especially after a lot of rain. This happened to Risedale Beck in June 2007.
The 2007 Flood Event
In just 48 hours, the area around Risedale Beck received as much rain as it normally gets in two whole months! This caused the small, usually gentle beck to swell up. It went from being a tiny trickle of water to a fast-flowing stream that was deep enough to reach a person's waist.
When rivers flood like this, they can become very dangerous. The strong currents can be powerful and sweep things away. It's always important to be careful and stay safe around water, especially when it's flooded.
