River Syfynwy (Welsh: Afon Syfynwy, Syfnwy or Syfni) is a river entirely within Pembrokeshire, Wales, rising in the Preseli Hills, feeding the Rosebush and Llys y Fran reservoirs and joining the Eastern Cleddau to the south. It is a river considered to be important as an ecological indicator and part is in a site of special scientific interest.
The river is formed by the confluence of several streams rising in the southern slopes of the Preseli Hills at some 350 metres (1,150 ft) and flows southwards into Rosebush Reservoir, where it passes through or over the dam. Cascades, Syfynwy Falls, are immediately below the dam and are a visitor attraction when the reservoir is overflowing. [1] Continuing south west, the river flows through a wooded valley - Holmus Wood, Farthing's Hook Wood and Dan-y-Coed, then under the Grade II-listed Farthing's Hook Bridge. [2] It runs between Pen-yr-Allt Wood and Velindre Wood before entering the northern end of Llys y Fran reservoir. This reservoir's dam produces electricity. After the dam, the river flows in a more southerly direction before turning south east, passing under Step-aside Bridge, near Clarbeston, and the 18th century Grade II-listed Gelli Bridge [3] [4] at Gelli Hill to meet the Eastern Cleddau. [5] The river is approximately 10 miles (16 km) long. [6]
The river has been used by some researchers as an indicator of ecological health and is included in the River Cleddau catchment area's Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its wide range of indigenous wild plants and animals, including water crowfoot, lamprey and otter. The Syfynwy is included in the Eastern Cleddau Special Area of Conservation (SAC). [7] In 2009 the Bro Syfynwy Heritage Group were granted £2,750 to produce a leaflet covering rural and historical life around the upper Syfynwy. [8]
The Llys y Fran Catchment Project is an ecological study based on the Afon Syfynwy catchment from its source to the Llys y Fran dam. The study, begun in July 2014, is focussed on understanding the blue green algae blooms that have been occurring in the reservoir and, with the support of landowners, will involve soil sampling and nutrient management. The project is being run in collaboration with Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales (NRW). As well as farming, the project will also consider the impact of sewage and forestry on the study area as well as water quality and invertebrate populations. [9]
Over the winter of 2013-14 Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust monitored riverflies at Gelli Bridge as part of a wider study of the Eastern Cleddau catchment area. They found fewer numbers than usual, but that most sensitive species were present. [10]
A pollution incident in 1999 where trade effluent was discharged into the river causing the death of an estimated 1,000 brown trout [11] resulted in a fine of £2,500 and £13,021 costs when the case went to court the following year. [12]
During the war the railway at Glan Syfynwy, near Rosebush, was used for bombing practice by the RAF and USAF. [13]
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south-west of Wales. It is bordered by Carmarthenshire to the east, Ceredigion to the northeast, and the rest by sea. The county is home to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The Park occupies more than a third of the area of the county and includes the Preseli Hills in the north as well as the 190-mile (310 km) Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
Haverfordwest is the county town of Pembrokeshire, Wales, and the most populous urban area in Pembrokeshire with a population of 12,042 in 2011, though its community boundaries made it the second-most populous settlement in the county, with 10,812 people. The suburbs include the former parish of Prendergast, Albert Town and the residential and industrial areas of Withybush.
The Preseli Hills or, as they are known locally and historically, Preseli Mountains is a range of hills in north Pembrokeshire, west Wales, mostly within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
The River Taff is a river in Wales. It rises as two rivers in the Brecon Beacons; the Taf Fechan and the Taf Fawr before becoming one just north of Merthyr Tydfil. Its confluence with the River Severn estuary is in Cardiff.
The River Teifi in Wales forms the boundary for most of its length between the counties of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, and for the final 3 miles (4.8 km) of its total length of 76 miles (122 km), the boundary between Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Its estuary is northwest of Cardigan. Teifi has formerly been anglicised as "Tivy".
The Afon Rheidol is a river in Ceredigion, Wales, 19 miles (31 km) in length. The source is Plynlimon, the largest watershed in Wales with a catchment area covering 73 square miles (189 km2). Receiving an average annual rainfall of 40 inches (1015 mm) Plynlimon is the source of both the Wye and the Severn.
The A478 road is a major road in Wales. The route is from its junction with the A487 at Cardigan, Ceredigion, to Tenby, Pembrokeshire. It crosses the Preseli Hills and winds through farmland for almost all of its route. The road just touches the very west of Carmarthenshire.
Rosebush is a small village in the community of Maenclochog, Pembrokeshire, southwest Wales, UK. It lies in the southern slopes of the Preseli Hills, about 1 mile (1.6 km) north west of the village of Maenclochog. Slate was extensively quarried nearby, and was exported by the Narberth Road and Maenclochog Railway, which was later extended towards Fishguard. Today, Rosebush is a centre for exploring the Preseli Hills.
Gelli may refer to:
The River Cleddau consists of the Eastern and Western Cleddau rivers in Pembrokeshire, west Wales. They unite to form the Daugleddau estuary and the important harbour of Milford Haven.
Llawhaden is a village, parish and community in the Hundred of Dungleddy, Pembrokeshire, West Wales. The community of Llawhaden includes the parish of Robeston Wathen, part of Narberth and the hamlet of Gelli, and had a population of 634 in 2001, increasing to 688 at the 2011 Census.
The River Nevern is a river in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Its source is north of the village of Crymych and its length is about 11 miles (18 km) to its estuary at Newport, Pembrokeshire.
The B4329 is a scenic route and a former turnpike in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. It links Eglwyswrw in the north of the county to Haverfordwest, the county town in the south, in an approximately southwesterly direction, crossing the Preseli Mountains.
Llys y Fran is a small village and parish in the community of New Moat on the southern slopes of the Preseli Mountains in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The parish includes the small settlement of Gwastad. A notable feature is Llys y Fran Reservoir and Country Park, a popular tourist attraction.
Gelli is a small settlement in the community and parish of Llawhaden, Pembrokeshire, Wales, at the confluence of the Syfynwy and Cleddau Ddu rivers. It is 3 miles (5 km) northwest of Narberth and 8 miles (13 km) east of Haverfordwest. The nearest railway station is at Clunderwen 2 miles (3 km) to the east. There was a woollen mill in Gelli that ceased production in 1938.
Gelli Bridge is a Grade II listed two-arch bridge spanning the River Syfynwy a few yards before its confluence with the Eastern Cleddau. The date of the bridge is not known, though projecting keystones suggest it is 18th century. It has been modified since its original construction.
Coordinates: 51°50′27″N4°46′57″W / 51.8408°N 4.7826°W
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