Llyn Cwellyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Llyn Cwellyn |
|
|---|---|
from Mynydd Mawr
|
|
 Llyn Cwellyn
Location in Gwynedd
|
|
| Location | North Wales |
| Coordinates | 53°4′20″N 4°9′6″W / 53.07222°N 4.15167°W |
| Type | reservoir, natural lake |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Surface area | 215 acres (87 ha) |
| Max. depth | 120 ft (37 m) |
| Settlements | Rhyd Ddu |
Llyn Cwellyn is a beautiful lake in North Wales. It is also a reservoir, which means it stores drinking water for homes in parts of Gwynedd and Anglesey. The lake is located in a valley called Nant y Betws, between two mountains, Moel Eilio and Mynydd Mawr. This area is part of the amazing Snowdonia National Park.
Llyn Cwellyn covers about 215 acres (0.87 square kilometers). It is also very deep, reaching over 120 feet (37 meters) in some places. At the southern end of the lake, you'll find the small village of Rhyd Ddu.
Contents
Discovering Llyn Cwellyn's Natural Beauty
Llyn Cwellyn is a natural lake that formed after the last ice age. It sits in a glaciated valley, shaped by ancient glaciers. Even though a dam was built at its northern end, near Betws Garmon, it hasn't changed the lake's original size much.
Unique Wildlife in the Lake
This deep lake is special because it's one of the few places in Wales where you can find a natural group of Arctic char. These are a type of fish that usually live in very cold, northern waters. You can also spot brown trout swimming in the lake. If you're lucky, you might even see otters, especially near the Castell Cidwm end of the lake.
Who Owns the Lake?
Llyn Cwellyn is owned by two different groups. Part of it belongs to Lawrence Jones, who owns the Castell Cidwm estate. The other part is owned by Welsh Water, which manages the water supply from the lake. Long ago, the Marquis of Anglesey owned the lake and used the Castell Cidwm country house as a place for hunting.
Exploring the Area Around Llyn Cwellyn
The A4085 road runs right past Llyn Cwellyn. However, there aren't any special spots along the road for picnics. The east side of the lake is now a Nature Reserve, which means fishing is not allowed in the tree-lined areas near the road.
Boating and Fishing Rules
While you can buy permits to fish in some parts of the lake, many people prefer other nearby lakes that are more sheltered and have more fish. It's important to be careful if you go out on Llyn Cwellyn in a small boat. Strong winds can suddenly blow down from Snowdon and through the valley, making it very hard to row back. Since it's a reservoir, boats with engines are not allowed. Even with an electric motor, it can be almost impossible to go against the wind once it gets strong.
Protecting the Lake's Water Quality
On the far side of the lake, there used to be a forest where trees were grown for wood. This land is now owned by Natural Resources Wales. However, they have stopped cutting down trees there. This is to make sure that the lake's water stays clean and doesn't get dirty from silt (tiny bits of soil) that logging activities can create.
Water Treatment and Railway Views
In 2005, there was a problem with the water supply from the lake. Some people got sick from something called Cryptosporidiosis. Because of this, plans were made to improve the water treatment plant. Work began in 2009 on a new, updated plant about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) downstream. This new plant uses special methods like froth flotation, clarifiers, and UV light to make sure the water is very clean and safe to drink. The improved plant started working in September 2010.
The Welsh Highland Railway
Higher up the mountainside, you can find the Welsh Highland Railway. This train ride offers amazing views of Llyn Cwellyn from the south. Both the road and the railway travel from Caernarfon to Beddgelert, and then through the beautiful Aberglaslyn Pass to Porthmadog.
As the railway comes from Caernarfon and gets close to the lake, it turns left. It goes through a rock cutting that was carved by hand and under a small bridge. Then, it heads up the east side of the lake towards Snowdon Ranger railway station and later Rhyd Ddu railway station. Rhyd Ddu station is where one of the paths to the top of Snowdon begins.
Paths to Snowdon's Summit
The railway and the road run next to each other for over half a mile to the top of the mountain pass at Pitt's Head. Here, the road goes over the railway before going steeply down through Nant Colwyn to Beddgelert. Pitt's Head is also a starting point for another path to Snowdon, known as the 'Beddgelert' branch of the Rhyd Ddu path.
In the middle of the eastern shore of the lake, you'll find the start of the Snowdon Ranger path to Snowdon's summit. This path is easier, and the views of the lake from it are truly magnificent, no matter what the weather is like. It's a great way to come down from Snowdon.
Historical Travel Route
For hundreds of years, since the Middle Ages, the route from Caernarfon to Beddgelert, passing Llyn Cwellyn, was a popular way to travel. From Beddgelert, people would continue along the River Glaslyn and the Traeth Mawr to reach Cardigan Bay. This overland journey was often chosen instead of the long boat trip around the Llŷn Peninsula.
Images for kids
-
Llyn Cwellyn from Mynydd Mawr
