Afon Ysgir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Afon Ysgir |
|
|---|---|
The Afon Ysgir
|
The Afon Ysgir is a lovely river in Wales. It starts high up on the southern slopes of a mountain called Mynydd Epynt in an area known as Powys. This river is quite special because it flows through beautiful countryside and joins another important river, the River Usk.
Contents
Discovering the Afon Ysgir River
Where the River Begins and Ends
The Afon Ysgir actually starts as two smaller streams, like little brothers, called Ysgir Fawr and Ysgir Fechan. These streams flow past small places like Pont Rhyd-y-berry and Merthyr Cynog. They then meet up at a spot called Pont-faen. From there, the combined river flows past the village of Battle before finally joining the much bigger River Usk at Aberyscir.
A River Through History and Nature
The upper parts of the Afon Ysgir flow through a special area used by the British Army. It's called the Sennybridge Training Area, or SENTA for short. This is where soldiers practice their training.
Near where the river meets the Usk, you can find some interesting historical sites. There's an old motte, which was a type of castle built on a mound of earth. You can also see the historic church at Aberyscir. East of the river, there are the remains of a Roman fort called CICVCIVM, also known as Brecon Gaer. This shows that people have lived and used this area for a very long time!
Home to Special Fish
The Afon Ysgir, along with other rivers that flow into the Usk, is a very important place for nature. It's been named a 'special area of conservation' or 'SAC'. This means it's protected because it's a home for several unique types of fish. These include the lamprey, which looks a bit like an eel, the twaite shad, and the European bullhead. Protecting the river helps these amazing creatures thrive.
