River Clwyd facts for kids

Quick facts for kids River Clwyd
River Clwyd by Rhuddlan Castle, Moel Famau in distance
Native name	Afon Clwyd
Country	Wales
Region	Denbighshire
Physical characteristics
Main source	Clocaenog Forest
River mouth	Liverpool Bay near Rhyl, Wales
Length	35 miles / 55km

The River Clwyd (in Welsh: Afon Clwyd) is a river in Wales. It starts in the Clocaenog Forest, about 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Corwen. The river is about 35 miles (55 km) long.

Discover the River Clwyd

The River Clwyd is an important waterway in North Wales. It flows through beautiful landscapes. The river supports a variety of wildlife. It also has a rich history.

Where the River Begins and Flows

The River Clwyd begins its journey in the Clocaenog Forest. At first, it flows south. Then, near Melin-y-Wig, it turns northeast. The river follows the A494 road. It passes through small villages. These include Derwen, Llanelidan, Pwllglas, and Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd.

Journey Through the Vale of Clwyd

The river then reaches Ruthin. Here, it leaves the narrow valley. It enters a wide, flat area. This area is known as the Vale of Clwyd. It is a very fertile farming region.

Just south of Denbigh, another river joins the Clwyd. This is the River Clywedog. The Clywedog also starts in Clocaenog Forest. It flows east and north. It passes through places like Cyffylliog and Bontuchel. Finally, it meets the River Clwyd.

Meandering North to the Sea

After joining the Clywedog, the River Clwyd winds its way north. It flows through the rich farmland of the Vale of Clwyd. It continues towards St Asaph.

About two miles north of St Asaph, a large tributary joins the Clwyd. This is the River Elwy. The Elwy is almost as big as the Clwyd itself. When the tide is low, you can often see the waters of both rivers flowing side by side. They do not mix much at first.

The River Elwy's Path

The River Elwy starts far to the west. Its source is on the slopes of Moel Seisiog. This is southeast of Llanrwst. The Elwy also has its own tributary, the River Aled. The Aled begins in a mountain lake called Llyn Aled.

The Elwy mainly flows east. It passes through only a few villages. When the Elwy and Clwyd meet, the river becomes tidal. This means the sea's tides affect its water level. The river then enters a narrow estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea. This area is full of wildlife. Finally, the River Clwyd flows into the Irish Sea near Rhyl.

A King's Big Project

In 1277, King Edward I built a castle next to the Clwyd. This was Rhuddlan Castle. To get supplies to his castle, he needed barges to reach it from the sea.

So, King Edward I hired 968 men. Their job was to work on something called 'The Great Ditch'. They straightened a 3-mile (5 km) section of the river. This part ran from the castle to the sea. It was a huge engineering task, even by today's standards. You can still see the original bends of the river using satellite maps.

The River's Name and Legacy

The former county of Clwyd was named after this river. This county was created in 1974. It included areas that are now Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, and Wrexham.

Wildlife in the River Clwyd

The River Clwyd is famous for its excellent fishing. Many sea trout (also called sewin) swim in its waters. Atlantic salmon also live here. In recent years, people have reported good catches of wild brown trout. Most of these fish are released back into the river. This helps to protect their numbers.

The Rhyl and St Asaph Angling Association manages fishing along 20 miles (32 km) of the River Clwyd. They also manage parts of its tributaries, the River Elwy and River Aled.