Llyn Padarn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Llyn Padarn |
|
|---|---|
Llyn Padarn
|
|
 Llyn Padarn
Location in Wales
|
|
| Location | Snowdonia, Gwynedd, Wales |
| Coordinates | 53°07′31″N 4°07′46″W / 53.12528°N 4.12944°W |
| Type | moraine dammed lake |
| Max. length | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
Llyn Padarn is a large and beautiful lake in Snowdonia, North Wales. It was formed by huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, a very long time ago. This makes it a "glacially formed lake." It is also a "moraine dammed lake," which means a natural wall of rock and dirt left by a glacier holds its water.
Llyn Padarn is one of the biggest natural lakes in Wales. It is about 2 kilometers (2 miles) long. At its deepest point, the lake goes down about 29 meters (94 feet). The busy village of Llanberis is located right on the southern side of the lake.
Contents
Llyn Padarn: A Beautiful Welsh Lake
Llyn Padarn is a special place in Gwynedd, North Wales. Most of the lake is owned by the local council, Gwynedd Council. It is part of a bigger area called Padarn Country Park. This park is a great spot for outdoor fun and learning about nature.
At one end, Llyn Padarn is connected to another lake called Llyn Peris. This nearby lake is part of the Dinorwig power station. This power station uses water to create electricity.
Fun Activities on the Lake
Llyn Padarn is a popular place for many water activities. You can go kayaking, rowing, and sailing on the lake. If you want to use a powered boat, you usually need to ask for permission first. The Bangor University Rowing Club often practices their rowing here.
In 2014, Llyn Padarn was officially named a "Bathing Water." This means its water quality is checked regularly to make sure it is safe for swimming. Many people enjoy swimming here, especially in the warmer months.
The Llanberis Lake Railway runs along one side of the lake. This historic railway offers scenic rides, letting you see the lake and surrounding area from a different view. Besides swimming, you can also enjoy canoeing, boating, and fishing on the lake. Llyn Padarn was even used for the rowing events during the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
Nature and Wildlife Around the Lake
The water from Llyn Padarn flows out from its northern side. This outflow is called Afon Rhythallt. It then becomes the Afon Seiont further downstream. This river eventually reaches the sea at Caernarfon.
Padarn Country Park is located on the northern side of the lake. Inside the park, you can find a rare and very old forest called Coed Allt Wen. This forest is full of sessile oak trees. Both Coed Allt Wen and Llyn Padarn are very important for nature. They are both named "Sites of Special Scientific Interest" (SSSI). This means they are protected areas because of their special plants, animals, or geology.
A Look Back in Time
Llyn Padarn has a long history, and some events have left their mark. In 1993, a sad event happened when an RAF helicopter crashed into the lake. This was a difficult time for the local community.
