The barrage was opened on 22 April 1995[REF][REF] with an international competition on the white water course, and inaugurated on 17 July the same year by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh [REF].
The Canal & River Trust are also responsible for managing the 11 miles of navigable grade A two star waters of the river Tees from the barrage up to the Low Moor Weir at Low Worsall beyond Yarm [REF].