{{Short description|River in North Yorkshire, England}} {{See also|Sheepwash, North Yorkshire}} {{Use British English|date=May 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox river | name = Cod Beck | name_native = | name_native_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology = <!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP --> | image = Cod Beck Weir, Thirsk - geograph.org.uk - 1718027.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = Cod Beck Weir, Thirsk | image_alt = A stone footbridge crossing a weir, which is in a heavy flow state | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= <!---------------------- LOCATION --> | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = [[England]] | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = County | subdivision_name3 = [[North Yorkshire]] | subdivision_type4 = Unitary authority | subdivision_name4 = [[North Yorkshire (district)|North Yorkshire]] | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 = <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS --> | length = | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= River Swale | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = | source1_location = | source1_coordinates= | source1_elevation = | mouth = [[River Swale]], Yorkshire | mouth_location = Leckby Grange, North Yorkshire | mouth_coordinates = | mouth_elevation = | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = | tributaries_left = Oakdale Beck, Howl Beck, Broad Beck, Spital Beck, Whitelass Beck, Moor Stell, Paradise Beck, Willow Beck | tributaries_right = Great Pasture Beck | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }}
'''Cod Beck''' is a river in [[North Yorkshire]], England. It has a catchment area of {{convert|8,912|ha|mi2}}. It flows for over {{convert|20|mi}} from [[Osmotherley, North Yorkshire|Osmotherley]], through [[Thirsk]], and enters the [[River Swale]] just to the south of [[Topcliffe, North Yorkshire|Topcliffe]].
== History ==
The river extends for {{convert|20|mi}} from above [[Cod Beck Reservoir]] at [[Osmotherley, North Yorkshire|Osmotherley]] on the edge of the [[North York Moors]] through [[Thirsk]] and on to join the [[River Swale]] about a {{convert|1|mi|adj=on}} south of [[Topcliffe, North Yorkshire|Topcliffe]].{{sfn|Page|1968|p=70}}<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ekwall|first1=Eilert|title=English river-names.|date=1968|publisher=Clarendon Press|location=Oxford|isbn=0-19-869119-X|page=85|edition=1}}</ref> In 1767 an act of Parliament was obtained ('''{{anchor|Codbreck Brook Navigation Act 1766}}{{sic|Codbreck|nolink=yes}} 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.{{sfn|Page|1968|p=60}} The river flowing through Thirsk powered at least one mill, the Union Mill, which ground corn.<ref>{{cite web |title=Union Mill, Thirsk – The Mills Archive |url=https://new.millsarchive.org/mills/index/?which=4023 |website=new.millsarchive.org |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Spencer |first1=Brian |title=The visitor's guide to the North York Moors, York and the Yorkshire coast |date=1984 |publisher=Moorland |location=Ashbourne |isbn=0861901142 |page=24}}</ref> Osmotherley had five mills which were powered by the river; three textile, one corn, and one timber.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rutter|first1=J |title=Industrial archaeology in North-East Yorkshire; list of sites area II - Ryedale and the Hambletons|journal=Transactions of the Scarborough and District Archaeological Society |date=1970|volume= II|issue=13 |publisher=Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society |location=Scarborough |issn=1474-1229 |oclc=2324885|page=41}}</ref>
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%.<ref>{{cite news|title=Flood protection schemes dropped as region's budget slashed by 41pc|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/local-stories/flood-protection-schemes-dropped-as-region-s-budget-slashed-by-41pc-1-3053740#axzz3r1rAktLS|accessdate=9 November 2015|newspaper=Yorkshire Post|date=28 January 2011}}</ref> The highest water level recorded at Thirsk was {{convert|2.32|m}} In January 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cod Beck level at Thirsk - GOV.UK |url=https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/station/8287 |website=check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref>
The name Cod Beck is a derivative of Cold Beck.<ref>{{cite news|title=Speculation over unusual village name|url=http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/weekend/countrymansdiary/11079041.Speculation_over_unusual_village_name/|accessdate=9 November 2015|publisher=Darlington and Stockton Times|date=14 March 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref name="FRCR">{{cite book |last1=Reed |first1=Frederick Richard Cowper |title=The geological history of the rivers of East Yorkshire, being the Sedgwick prize essay for the year 1900 |date=1901 |publisher=C. J. Clay & sons |location=London |page=37|oclc=11368522}}</ref> The total area that the beck drains is just over {{convert|8,912|ha|mi2}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cod Beck from Source to Broad Beck {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer |url=https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB104027069010 |website=environment.data.gov.uk |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cod Beck from Broad Beck to Spital Beck {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer |url=https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB104027068880 |website=environment.data.gov.uk |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cod Beck from Spital Beck to River Swale {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer {{!}} Catchment Data Explorer |url=https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB104027068820 |website=environment.data.gov.uk |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Giles |first1=Nick |title=Draft report on one day visit to Cod & Broad Becks, North Yorkshire |url=https://www.wildtrout.org/assets/reports/2002codbeck.pdf |website=wildtrout.org |access-date=20 June 2025 |date=27 April 2002}}</ref>
==Settlements==
''from source''
*[[Osmotherley, North Yorkshire|Osmotherley]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan Osmotherley |url=https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/planning/building-conservation/conservation-areas/conservation-area-appraisal-and-management-plans/Osmotherley-PDF.pdf |website=northyorkmoors.org.uk |access-date=20 June 2025 |page=7}}</ref> *[[Ellerbeck]] *[[Foxton, North Yorkshire|Foxton]]<ref name="FRCR"/> *[[Kirby Sigston]] *[[Thornton-le-Street]] *[[North Kilvington]]<ref name="JSF">{{cite book |last1=Fletcher |first1=Joseph Smith |title=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 |date=1901 |publisher=J. M. Dent |location=London |page=366|oclc=1050768762}}</ref> *[[South Kilvington]], where Spital Beck and Whitelass Beck enter the river{{sfn|Page|1968|p=40}} *[[Thirsk]]<ref name="JSF"/> *[[Sowerby, North Yorkshire|Sowerby]] *[[Dalton, Hambleton|Dalton]]
(Joins Swale)
==References== {{Reflist}} === Sources === *{{cite book |editor1-last=Page |editor1-first=William |title=The Victoria history of the county of York, North Riding volume II |date=1968 |orig-date=1923 |publisher=Dawsons of Pall Mall |location=London |isbn=0712903100}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Cod Beck}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050315053440/http://www.hambleton.gov.uk/hambleton/transport.nsf/pages/codbeck.html Hambleton District Council page on Cod Beck]. * [http://www.northyorks.com/thirsk.htm Cod Beck at Thirsk] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050311182313/http://www.naturalworldtours.co.uk/articles2001/march/march1001f.htm Wildlife News: Salmon return to North Yorkshire river]. * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050331215632/http://freespace.virgin.net/c.vincent/flood/ Photographs of Cod Beck flooding, 1999]
{{Rivers of Yorkshire}} {{Authority control}}
{{Coord|54|10|N|1|21|W|display=title|region:GB_type:river_source:GNS-enwiki}}
[[Category:Rivers of North Yorkshire|Cod Beck]] [[Category:Beck watercourses]] [[Category:Thirsk]]