How many reservoirs are in Elan Valley?
There are six impressive dams altogether. Four follow the Elan River – Craig Goch, Pen y Garreg, Garreg Ddu, and Caban Coch and two are on the river Claerwen – the Claerwen dam and the unfinished Dol y Mynach dam. The dams of Elan Valley offer a wonderful year round backdrop for cyclists, walkers, and photographers.
Where is Elan Valley reservoirs?
Elan Valley is situated in the county of Powys in mid-Wales, just a couple of hours from Birmingham and Cardiff. We can be accessed easily from the nearby town of Rhayader.
Where does the water go from Elan Valley?
An average of 300 million litres of water a day from the Elan Valley can be extracted to supply Birmingham. Once the Claerwen Dam was completed this nearly doubled the available water for Birmingham.
Who owns Elan reservoirs?
The Elan Estate is owned by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water although a greater part of it is vested in the Elan Valley Trust on a 999 year lease.
Who owns Welsh reservoirs?
Dŵr Cymru /
The Elan Estate is now owned by Dŵr Cymru / Welsh Water who are responsible for the Visitor Centre, the dams and reservoirs, the woodlands and most of the Elan Valley Trail. The Estate covers an area of 80 square kilometres that includes twelve Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and a National Nature Reserve.
Who opened the Elan Valley dams?
On 21st July 1904 King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra opened the Elan dams and water started flowing along 118 km of pipeline to Birmingham.
Who built the Elan Valley dams?
The reservoirs, which were built by the Birmingham Corporation Water Department, provide clean drinking water for Birmingham in the West Midlands of England. The five lakes are known as the Claerwen, Craig-goch, Pen-y-garreg, Garreg-ddu, and Caban-coch.
Can you swim in Elan Valley?
Due to the deep and extremely cold water, underwater machinery and for conservation reasons no watersports including swimming, canoeing or boating are allowed.
Can you drive around Elan Valley?
The road allows good views of the dams and reservoirs and connects with the mountain road to Aberystwyth. A leaflet containing a map is available from the Information Desk. There is a large car park at the Visitor Centre and several smaller ones at various locations around the valley.