Rhaeadr y Cwm explained

Rhaeadr y Cwm
Alt Name:Waterfall of the Cwm
Coords Ref:[1]
Location:Gwynedd, Wales
Number Drops:Six

The Rhaeadr y Cwm is a waterfall on the Afon Cynfal river in Gwynedd, North Wales. The falls are located near the B4391 road, some 3miles east of Ffestiniog.[2]

Description

Rhaeadr y Cwm is located at on the Afon Cynfal river, a watercourse that drains Migneint (to the east), an area of upland covering over 19000ha.[3] The river drops about as it flows through the gorge which separates the upland from the lowland course of the river.[4] The waterfall's run covers a cascade of six steps through a narrow gorge.[4]

The waterfall can be viewed from a lay-by on the adjacent B4391 road between the A470 and A4212 roads.[5] [6] Due to the nature of heavy rainfall on the long falls over a steep drop, it has been described as "..one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Britain."[7]

There is a proposal to build a weir above the waterfall and pipe some of the water away from a hydrolectric scheme. Those backing the scheme state that it will generate enough electricity to power 700 homes. Opponents say that up to 70% of the water will be diverted away from the falls, which will change the overall look of the waterfall.[8] There are also concerns that the moisture-loving mosses and liverworts that line the gorge's sides will be affected by the water diversion.[9]

Rhaeadr means waterfall in Welsh, and cwm means mountain hollow.[10]

See also

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rhaeadr y Cwm waterfall walk . cavinguk.co.uk . 4 January 2024.
  2. Book: Styles . Showell . Snowdonia National Park . 1987 . Webb & Bower . Exeter . 0-8635-0137-0 . 119.
  3. Web site: Migneint-Arenig-Dduallt - Special Areas of Conservation . sac.jncc.gov.uk . 3 January 2024.
  4. Book: Jones . John Llewellyn . The waterfalls of Wales . 1986 . Hale . London . 0-7090-2584-X . 151.
  5. News: Perrin . Jim . Country diary: a perfect setting for dramatic folktales . 3 January 2024 . The Guardian . 30 November 2019.
  6. Book: Condry . William . Snowdonia . 1987 . David & Charles . Newton Abbot . 0-7153-8734-0 . 124.
  7. News: Voelas, Ysbyty Ifan, Rhaeadr-y-Cwm . The North Wales Weekly News . 19 July 1954 . 6.
  8. News: Somerville . Ewan . Snowdonia waterfall could be diverted to hit net zero target . The Daily Telegraph . 52,453 . 3 January 2024 . 12. 0307-1235.
  9. News: Forgrave . Andrew . 'Unthinkable' hydro plan to divert water from 'majestic and iconic' waterfall in Snowdonia - Experts say diverting up to 70% of the waterfall will have a 'negligible' impact on its look . 4 January 2024 . infoweb.newsbank.com . 24 November 2023. subscription.
  10. Book: Sale . Richard . North Wales . 2010 . Collins . London . 9780007351404 . 12.

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