Afon Cilieni facts for kids
The Afon Cilieni is a small river in Wales. It starts on the southern side of a mountain called Mynydd Epynt in Powys. Its name might mean 'the river that starts in a small hidden spot'.
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Where the Afon Cilieni Flows
The top part of the Afon Cilieni river flows through a special area. This area is used by the British Army for training. It's called the Sennybridge Training Area, or SENTA for short.
Journey to the River Usk
The river then flows past two small villages. These are Pentre-bach and Pentre'r-felin. After flowing through these villages, the Afon Cilieni joins a bigger river. This meeting point is called a confluence. The Afon Cilieni joins the River Usk. This happens about 2 kilometers east of Sennybridge.
A Home for Special Fish
The Afon Cilieni is very important for nature. It is known as a special area of conservation (SAC). This means it is protected because of the special fish that live there.
Protected Fish Species
Many different kinds of fish live in the Afon Cilieni. Some of these include three types of lamprey. There are also twaite shad and European bullhead fish. Protecting the river helps these special fish to thrive.
The Old Railway Line
For much of its length, the river runs alongside an old railway path. This railway was never finished. It was meant to go to Llanwrtyd Wells. This was going to be a branch line from the Neath and Brecon Railway.
What Remains of the Railway
Even though the railway was abandoned in the 1860s, you can still see parts of it. There are cuttings, which are parts where the ground was dug out. There are also embankments, which are raised areas of earth. It seems that none of the bridges over the Cilieni river were ever built.
