The Elan Valley

 

The Elan valley comprises a string of reservoirs built by Victorian engineers to provide Birmingham with drinking water. The water is transported all the way from the reservoirs to the city via a continuous pipeline, which is 117 kilometres long. From the valley to Birmingham, there is only a drop of 50 metres, yet the water passes through the pipe aided only by gravity!

Pen-y-Garreg dam

The dams that hold back the vast reservoirs are most impressive in the spring, when the reservoirs are full and water cascades over the top. Shown here are the Pen-y-Garreg (above) and Craig Goch (top and bottom) dams, 37 and 36 metres high respectively. The four reservoirs hold a total of 50 million cubic metres of water.

Craig Goch dam

There are lots of footpaths and a nature trail around the reservoirs, and it is possible to see many animals including buzzards, red kites, foxes, polecats and otters. Further information about the Elan Valley Trail is available from the Visitor Centre in Rhayader.


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