[2] The York district was settled by Norwegian and Danish people, so parts of the place names could be old Norse.

Referring to the etymological dictionary "Etymologisk ordbog", ISBN 82-905-2016-6 deals with the common Danish and Norwegian languages – roots of words and the original meaning.

It has responsibility for the area from Crayke to the pre-1991 city boundary of York covering 9,085 hectares and 162.54 km of waterways.

[4] The source of the Foss is a spring in the Howardian Hills adjacent to, and flowing into, Oulston Reservoir near Newburgh Priory, four miles (6.5 km) north of Easingwold.

The bridges by Peasholme Green and Foss Bank restrict the headroom to an air space of 2.4 metres.

When the level reaches 7.8m AOD the barrier is lowered after running pumps for several minutes to clear silt and debris from the river bed to make a watertight fit.

[6] The lake was approximately 100 acres in extent and fishing was allowed by licence, except for the King's Men.

In 1644 the lake was shallow enough for Parliamentarian forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax to consider crossing it on foot to break the Siege of York during the English Civil War.

[2] Stillington Hall was a mansion on the west side of the Foss and adjoining the village of the same name.

[2] Remains of Roman jetties, wharves and warehouses have been found by excavations and building works on the banks of the Foss, suggesting that water-borne transport and trade were important from early in the history of the city.

[7] The modern Foss benefits most from leisure activity and several long-distance walks cross its path.

The Foss Walk follows much of the river course from Blue Bridge to Oulston Reservoir and on to Easingwold, a distance of 28 miles (45 km).

Several species of fish are found in the river, such as Pike, Dace, Chub, Gudgeon, Perch and Roach.