River Gele facts for kids
The River Gele (in Welsh, it's called Afon Gele) is a river in North Wales. It flows into another river called the River Clwyd. The town of Abergele gets its name from this river.
What's in a Name?
The name "Gele" comes from an old Welsh word, gelau. This word means "spear" or "blade." It's a special way of spelling the word that was used in that area.
The river is so important that it even gave its name to a local area called Gele. This area covers the southern part of Abergele town.
The River's Journey: Then and Now
A long time ago, the River Gele used to flow straight into the sea through the town of Abergele. But things changed in 1794.
A special law, called the Rhuddlan Marsh embankment act, was passed. This law changed the river's path. The river was moved from the south of Abergele. It now flows east across the Rhuddlan Marsh and joins the River Clwyd near a place called Towyn.
Close to where the River Gele meets the River Clwyd, the water level changes with the tides from the sea.
Keeping the River Healthy
Sometimes, rivers can face challenges like pollution or flooding. The River Gele has had some of these issues.
In 2010 and 2011, there were worries about pollution in the river. This happened near where it meets the River Clwyd, close to Kinmel Bay.
The river has also caused flooding in the past. The biggest flood happened in 1971. To help prevent future floods, some parts of the river have been put into underground pipes, which is called "culverting." Also, special banks have been built along the river's edge. These banks help to keep the water within the river's path, especially in the areas east and south of Abergele.
