Catrake Force

Catrake Force
Catrake Force
Map
LocationSwaledale, North Yorkshire, England
Coordinates54°24′4″N 2°10′0″W / 54.40111°N 2.16667°W / 54.40111; -2.16667
TypeStep
Total height10 m / 30 ft
Number of drops4

Catrake Force is a waterfall on the River Swale in North Yorkshire, England.[1] It is not visible from the road but is accessible via a campsite in Keld.[2] It comprises a series of four steps, each its own small waterfall, and each with a very different character – the largest single drop being about 20 feet (6.1 m).[3]

It lies just upstream of Keld, downstream from Wain Wath Force. The next waterfall downstream is Kisdon Force.[4] Waterfalls in the north of England are often termed Forces after the Norse word Foss which means waterfall,[5] whilst Catrake derives from the Latin cataracta (waterfall) via Middle English.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference walkingenglishman was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference google was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference gunnerside was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference yorkshiredales was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cosimo was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Smith, A. H. (1969). The place-names of the North Riding of Yorkshire. Nottingham: English Press Name Society. pp. 242–243. ISBN 0-521-07502-5.