This spectacular and very scenic reservoir nestling amongst the
Cambrian Mountains was built between 1965 and 1967 to regulate the flow
of water in the river Severn. It was supposed to form protection
against flooding and ensure a minumum flow in the river during the
summer months.
This is the tallest
concrete dam in the UK and stands at a height of 236 feet with a length
of 750 feet. It holds a staggering 11,000 million gallons of water. The
reservoir is owned by Severn Trent Water Authority and is also a
valuable leisure and recreational area which provides fishing for
anglers, ideal walks for hikers and an abundance of wildlife.
This area of Mid
Wales provides water for the English Midlands. The nearby Elan Valley,
with its dams, reservoirs and aqueduct was a major feat of engineering
that was built over a hundred years ago and which provides clean water
to the city of Birmingham.
For more information on the Elan Valley Project visit:
http://history.powys.org.uk/
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