Lllyn Celyn

OS Grid Ref:-

The Llyn Celyn Reservoir lies in the valley of the River Tryweryn at the foot of the Arenig Mountains and near to the town of Bala.

The large reservoir, which measures around two and a half miles long by a mile wide, was created in the early 1960's when the village of Capel Celyn and surrounding farmland was submerged, a cause of much controversy and anger, the battle to save it became a defining moment for Welsh nationalism.

Despite strong opposition in Wales the scheme went ahead and the reservoir was officially opened on 28 October 1965. Eight hundred acres of land was drowned, including the village school, the post office, the chapel the cemetery and some sixteen farms.

Water from the reservoir flows north east to the River Dee from where it supplies the city of Liverpool with its water.

The River Tryweryn which is now fed from the waters of Llyn Celyn has become a centre for white-water sports. It is highly popular with canoeists as it is a dam released river enabling water to flow when other rivers are dry, which enables year round white water sport at the Canolfan Tryweryn National White-water Centre.

The main parking area is at the western end of the reservoir