River Ceiriog facts for kids
The River Ceiriog (which in Welsh is called Afon Ceiriog) is a river in north east Wales. It is about 18 miles (29 km) long. Its name might mean "favoured one," which sounds pretty special! The River Ceiriog is a smaller river that flows into the larger River Dee.
This river starts high up in the Berwyn Mountains, about 1,800 feet (549 meters) above sea level, on the side of a mountain called Moel Fferna. From there, it flows through the beautiful Ceiriog Valley in an area known as Wrexham County Borough.
As the river travels, it passes by famous landmarks like Chirk Castle and the town of Chirk. Here, you can see the amazing Chirk Aqueduct, which is like a bridge that carries the Llangollen Canal right over the River Ceiriog. The Ceiriog then joins the River Dee just east of Chirk. Closer to where it ends, the river even forms part of the border between Wales and Shropshire in England.
The River Ceiriog is a special place for nature lovers. It's home to a club for trout fishing. A former British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, once said the river and its valley were "a little bit of heaven on earth." Besides trout, the river also welcomed the first grayling fish to be raised artificially in Wales back in 2009.
What Makes the River Ceiriog Special?
The River Ceiriog is known for being quite fast-flowing. Because it starts high up and flows steeply downhill, it can be very wild at times. Some people even say it's the fastest-flowing river in Wales!
How River Levels Are Monitored
The Environment Agency keeps a close eye on the river's water levels. They check the levels at a place called Brynkinalt. Usually, the river's depth here is between 0.17 meters (0.56 feet) and 0.73 meters (2.4 feet). However, it can get much deeper, with depths up to 1.66 meters (5.4 feet) recorded. As the river gets closer to joining the River Dee, it naturally becomes significantly deeper.
