River Balder

The River Balder rises on the eastern slope of Stainmore Common in the Pennine Chain and flows eastwards for about 23.4 kilometres before joining the River Tees at Cotherstone. Until 1974 it lay in the North Riding of Yorkshire, though now it is in County Durham. The head of the valley is bleak moorland where hills exceed 500 feet. The name first appears in the 13th century and probably comes from an Old English personal name, Baldhere. Baldersdale gave its name to the river, which was recorded later. For the first four kilometres it runs as Balder Beck before meeting Black Beck at grid reference NY886173. After seven kilometres it enters Balderhead Reservoir at 336 metres above sea level. Further down Baldersdale it spills into Blackton Reservoir and then Hury Reservoir. The scenery softens as the river passes Baldersdale Youth Hostel and the flat peak of Goldsborough to the south. The valley continues almost due east into Blackton Reservoir at 285 metres and then into Hury Reservoir near the village of Hury. Below Hury the river twists and turns, crossed by the grade II listed nine-arched Balder Railway Viaduct. This viaduct once carried the Barnard Castle to Middleton-in-Teesdale railway line before it closed. Finally the Balder joins the River Tees at Cotherstone, about 162 metres above sea level.