River Ystwyth: Difference between revisions
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The '''Ystwyth''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɪ|s|t|w|ɪ|θ}}; {{lang-cy|Afon Ystwyth}}) is a [[river]] in the county of [[Ceredigion]], [[Wales]]. The length of the main river is 20.5 miles (33 km). Its catchment area covers 75 square miles (193 km<sup>2</sup>).<ref>"First Water Resources Survey : Report", South West Wales River Authority, Published 1970, Page 41; Table 1</ref> Its source is a number of streams that include the Afon Diliw, located on the west slopes of [[Plynlimon]] on the border of Ceredigion and [[Powys]] in the [[Cambrian Mountains]].<ref> |
The '''Ystwyth''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɪ|s|t|w|ɪ|θ}}; {{lang-cy|Afon Ystwyth}}) is a [[river]] in the county of [[Ceredigion]], [[Wales]]. The length of the main river is 20.5 miles (33 km). Its catchment area covers 75 square miles (193 km<sup>2</sup>).<ref>"First Water Resources Survey : Report", South West Wales River Authority, Published 1970, Page 41; Table 1</ref> Its source is a number of streams that include the Afon Diliw, located on the west slopes of [[Plynlimon]] on the border of Ceredigion and [[Powys]] in the [[Cambrian Mountains]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/biosi/resources/Slater,%20fred-A%20survey%20of%20the%20macro-invertebrates%20of%20the%20Rivers%20Ystwyth%20and%20Rheidol..pdf |title=A survey of the macroinvertebrates of the Rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol |author=Brooker M.P.; Morris D.L. |date= |work= |publisher= |accessdate=2 May 2016}}</ref> |
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[[File:Afon Ystwyth.jpg|thumb|River Ystwyth near [[Trawsgoed]]]] |
[[File:Afon Ystwyth.jpg|thumb|River Ystwyth near [[Trawsgoed]]]] |
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The river flows generally westwards before draining into [[Cardigan Bay]] at [[Aberystwyth]] where it shares the [[harbour]] with the [[River Rheidol]].<ref |
The river flows generally westwards before draining into [[Cardigan Bay]] at [[Aberystwyth]] where it shares the [[harbour]] with the [[River Rheidol]].<ref name=Atlas/> |
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The |
The Ystwyth valley is now sparsely populated with only a few towns and villages such as [[Ysbyty Ystwyth]], [[Cwmystwyth|Cwm Ystwyth]], [[Pont-rhyd-y-groes]], [[Llanilar]] and [[Llanfarian]].<ref name=Atlas>{{cite book |title=Concise Road Atlas: Britain |year=2015 |publisher=AA Publishing |isbn=978-0-7495-7743-8 |pages=37 }}</ref> In previous centuries, however, the Ystwyth valley was relatively densely populated due to its mineral wealth. [[Silver]], [[lead]] and [[zinc]] have been mined in the valley since [[Roman Britain|Roman]] times, an activity that reached its peak in the 18th century. The largest of the very many mines was [[Cwm Ystwyth Lead Mine|Cwm Ystwyth Mine]]. It is reputed that the average age at death of the miners in Cwm Ystwyth was 32, largely because of acute [[lead poisoning]]. There is no active metal mining in the Ystwyth valley today.<ref name=Erichsen>{{cite journal |author=Jones, J.R. Erichsen |year=1958 |title=A Further Study of the Zinc-Polluted River Ystwyth |journal=Journal of Animal Ecology |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=1–14 |doi=10.2307/2169 }}</ref> |
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The River still carries elevated levels of lead, zinc and silver in its water, mostly due to seepage from abandoned mine [[tailings]] and discharges from mine [[adit]]s. |
The River still carries elevated levels of lead, zinc and silver in its water, mostly due to seepage from abandoned mine [[tailings]] and discharges from mine [[adit]]s. At the Frongoch Mine near Pont-rhyd-y-groes, Natural Resources Wales has introduced a new technique for reducing the pollution. Water is drawn away from the mine in a leat to a wetland area, where the vegetation takes up a lot of the pollutants. A similar approach is being used at Cwm Rheidol mine, near Aberystwyth. These remedies are considered important because the area supports a rich variety of wildlife, as well as bringing anglers and tourists to the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23255769 |title=River Ystwyth pollution from Pontrhydygroes mine cut |date=10 July 2013 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=2 May 2016}}</ref> |
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Away from the abandoned mine workings, the river valley is one of the most beautiful in Wales with steep wooded banks carrying crystal-clear water. It is especially beautiful in autumn. That season tends to bring large numbers of visitors to parts of the upper valley. |
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==Footnotes== |
==Footnotes== |
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[[Category:Rivers of Ceredigion|Ystwyth]] |
[[Category:Rivers of Ceredigion|Ystwyth]] |
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[[Category:Rivers of Powys|Ystwyth]] |
[[Category:Rivers of Powys|Ystwyth]] |
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{{Ceredigion-geo-stub}} |
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{{Powys-geo-stub}} |
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Revision as of 20:05, 2 May 2016
The Ystwyth (/ˈɪstwɪθ/; Welsh: Afon Ystwyth) is a river in the county of Ceredigion, Wales. The length of the main river is 20.5 miles (33 km). Its catchment area covers 75 square miles (193 km2).[1] Its source is a number of streams that include the Afon Diliw, located on the west slopes of Plynlimon on the border of Ceredigion and Powys in the Cambrian Mountains.[2]
The river flows generally westwards before draining into Cardigan Bay at Aberystwyth where it shares the harbour with the River Rheidol.[3]
The Ystwyth valley is now sparsely populated with only a few towns and villages such as Ysbyty Ystwyth, Cwm Ystwyth, Pont-rhyd-y-groes, Llanilar and Llanfarian.[3] In previous centuries, however, the Ystwyth valley was relatively densely populated due to its mineral wealth. Silver, lead and zinc have been mined in the valley since Roman times, an activity that reached its peak in the 18th century. The largest of the very many mines was Cwm Ystwyth Mine. It is reputed that the average age at death of the miners in Cwm Ystwyth was 32, largely because of acute lead poisoning. There is no active metal mining in the Ystwyth valley today.[4]
The River still carries elevated levels of lead, zinc and silver in its water, mostly due to seepage from abandoned mine tailings and discharges from mine adits. At the Frongoch Mine near Pont-rhyd-y-groes, Natural Resources Wales has introduced a new technique for reducing the pollution. Water is drawn away from the mine in a leat to a wetland area, where the vegetation takes up a lot of the pollutants. A similar approach is being used at Cwm Rheidol mine, near Aberystwyth. These remedies are considered important because the area supports a rich variety of wildlife, as well as bringing anglers and tourists to the area.[5]
Footnotes
- ^ "First Water Resources Survey : Report", South West Wales River Authority, Published 1970, Page 41; Table 1
- ^ Brooker M.P.; Morris D.L. "A survey of the macroinvertebrates of the Rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol" (PDF). Retrieved 2 May 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Concise Road Atlas: Britain. AA Publishing. 2015. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-7495-7743-8.
- ^ Jones, J.R. Erichsen (1958). "A Further Study of the Zinc-Polluted River Ystwyth". Journal of Animal Ecology. 27 (1): 1–14. doi:10.2307/2169.
- ^ "River Ystwyth pollution from Pontrhydygroes mine cut". BBC News. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
References
- Green, John (2006), Afon Ystwyth: The Story of a River, Artery Publications 2006. ISBN 0-9513909-7-X
External links
Media related to Afon Ystwyth at Wikimedia Commons
52°19′50″N 3°53′47″W / 52.33056°N 3.89639°W
