Afon Lwyd

TheAfon LwydorAfon Llwyd(English:'grey river') is a 13-mile (21 km) long river insouth-east Waleswhich flows from its source northwest ofBlaenavon,throughAbersychan,Pontnewynydd,Pontypool,Sebastapol,Croesyceiliog,LlanyrafonandPonthirbefore flowing, atCaerleon,into theRiver Usk,which subsequently flows into theBristol Channelto the south ofNewport.

Afon Lwyd Afon Llwyd
The Afon Lwydweirand fish leap atPontymoile.The bridge carries theMonmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
Location
Country	Wales
Region	South East Wales
District	Torfaen
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	betweenBrynmawrandBlaenavon,Torfaen,Wales
Discharge
• location	Caerleon
Basin features
Tributaries
• left	Nant y Gollen, Nant Dar, Nant Ffrwd Oer, Trosnant

The river was severely affected by pollution from industry and mine discharge, andfly tipping,but during the 1980s efforts were made to improve water quality and improve fish stocks. To aid this, theEnvironment Agency Walesbuilt afish ladderatPontymoilein 2010 enabling fish to ascend past the weir there. In late 2011 it was claimed that the river was in its cleanest state sincemedievaltimes.

Historically, the river has also been known as theTorfaen– meaning 'breaker of stones' – which gives some indication of the force of the river during surges. Although this name is no longer in use for the river, it is still in common use as the name for the local authority,Torfaen County Borough Council.

Flooding risk

The geography of the river's location, as well as how local towns affect run-off, has meant that during periods of heavy rainfall the river can quickly become a torrent and localised flash floods are not uncommon.The last major flood of the river occurred in the 1930s.

Conservation projects

Beginning in March 2010, the Friends of Afon Llwyd (FOAL) project is a partnership between Torfaen County Borough Council and two local angling clubs in Cwmbran and Pontypool aiming to improve the river as a habitat forsalmon,sea troutandbrown trout.TheWye and Usk Foundationalso received £130,000 of funding to remove invasive weeds, manage bank erosion, create fish leaps, drop weirs and improve community engagement with the river both by fishing and other means.Nearly £750,000 has and will be spent on improving the river.

A major effort of the FOAL project has been to lower a weir that blocked upstream fish migration at Ty Nant Ddu, Pontypool. In 2008, salmon were spotted here.Additionally, similar efforts were made at the weir located nearCwmavon.To further improve fish stocks (especially salmonid) 'V' weirs were constructed to trap gravel and create suitable spawning habitats.

American crayfish infestation

The river has been invaded by the Americansignal crayfish,which is affecting the native protectedwhite-clawed crayfish.Not only does the invading species fight for food resources, but it also carries crayfish plague, to which the native species has no immunity.

Afon Lwyd Trail

The Afon Lwyd Trail is a shared-use 16-mile (26 km) path running fromBlaenavon Ironworksin the north via Pontypool to Cwmbran in the south. The path initially follows theMonmouthshire and Brecon Canalfollowed by a section on the former Pontypool to Blaenavon railway. The trail incorporates twoNational Cycle Networkroutes: 49 and 492.

See also

• List of rivers of Wales

External links

• BBC Wales news item on American Crayfish in the Afon Llwyd (Aug 2008)
• Canoeing the Afon Lwyd