Broad Water facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Broad Water
Broad Water, looking north-east. The outflow is to the left.
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Type	Lagoon
Primary inflows	River Dysynni
Primary outflows	Cardigan Bay

Broad Water, also known as Broadwater, is a special saltwater lagoon in Wales. Its Welsh name is Aber Dysynni. This lagoon is located near the town of Tywyn.

Broad Water was formed from what used to be the mouth of the River Dysynni. A river mouth, or estuary, is where a river meets the sea. Over many years, a lot of sand and mud built up in this area. This process is called "silting up." As the estuary became filled with silt, it changed into the lagoon we see today.

Broad Water's Past

In the 1700s and 1800s, the area where Broad Water now sits was a busy place. It was used for shipbuilding. Small sailing ships were built and launched here. These ships were important for carrying peat from nearby peat bogs. Peat is a type of soil made from decayed plants, often used as fuel.

Why Shipbuilding Stopped

The shipbuilding industry at Broad Water ended in the 1800s. This happened because the estuary became too "silted up." This means too much sand and mud had collected, making the water too shallow for ships to sail. As a result, the estuary completely changed into the lagoon.

Nature and Wildlife

Today, Broad Water is a peaceful place. The water from the lagoon flows under a railway bridge before it reaches Cardigan Bay.

This area is very important for nature. It is a safe home for many different kinds of wetland birds. Because of its importance for wildlife, Broad Water has been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This special title helps protect the area and its amazing natural environment.