Llyn Alaw
| Llyn Alaw | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Llyn Alaw | |
| Location | Anglesey,North Wales |
| Coordinates | 53°21′10″N4°24′50″W/ 53.35278°N 4.41389°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basincountries | United Kingdom |
| Max. length | 4.3 km (2.7 mi) |
| Surface area | 3.6 km2(1.4 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 5.2 m (17 ft) |
| Water volume | 1,640×106imp gal (7.5 GL; 6,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Location | West Gwynedd |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 353.63 ha (873.8 acres) |
| Notification | 1968 |
Llyn Alaw(meaning:Lily Lake) is a man-madereservoironAnglesey,NorthWalesmanaged byDŵr Cymru Welsh Water.It is a shallow lake and was built in 1966. It is aSite of Special Scientific Interestand a destination for over-wintering birds.
History
[edit]It is used to supply drinking water to the northern half of the island and does so at a rate of 35 million litres a day. Filling began in November 1965, flooding the existing marsh of Cors y Bol, and was completed in January 1966. It was officially opened on 21 October 1966.[1]Due to the area being marshland no houses or farms, let alone hamlets or villages had to be abandoned to create it.
The catchment is largelyagricultural,and few notable rivers feed into the lake. The storage capacity is mostly generated through trapping winter rainfall and drawing down the level in the summer months. The reservoir itself is 4.3 kilometres long with a surface area of 3.6 km2making it the largest body of water on the island, but it only ever reaches a depth of 5.2 metres.[2]
The reservoir
[edit]The lake is a designatedSSSIbecause of the variety and numbers of wild fowl visiting the lake, especially overwintering birds including theEurasian Teal,northern shovelerandwhooper swan.Other waterfowl includemallard,wigeon,common goldeneye,common pochard,tufted duck,ruddy duckand occasionallypink-footed goose.[3]The lake is only a few metres deep as it was formed by flooding a former bog. The surrounding area is flat with a marshy area to the north of the lake. The shore is bordered by vegetation and has bushes and scrub in some areas. There are a number of low islets and in summer, when water levels are low, the lake is bordered by mud flats. Facilities for visitors include a car park, a visitor centre, two bird hides, three picnic sites and several miles of footpaths, although these do not allow visitors to make a complete circuit of the lake.[4]
Recent developments have included the provision ofnature conservationfacilities andway-markedwalks around the margin. The lake has an active fishery.[5]The lake contains wildbrown troutand is stocked withrainbow troutand is considered one of the most productive lakes in Wales.[6][self-published source]
References
[edit]- ^Hunt, P.C.; Jones, J.W. (2006). "Trout in Llyn Alaw, Anglesey, North Wales. I. Population structure and angling returns".Journal of Fish Biology.4(3): 395–408.doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.1972.tb05688.x.
- ^"Llyn (Lake) Alaw on the Island of Anglesey, North Wales".Anglesey Môn Information Website.Retrieved1 May2016.
- ^"Llyn Alaw SSSI designation".Anglesey Nature.Retrieved1 May2016.
- ^"Landscape: Llyn Alaw".Isle of Anglesey County Council.Retrieved1 May2016.
- ^Dwr Cymru Fishing Guide
- ^Lambert, Robin.Fly Fishing Directory of Britain & Ireland.Lulu.com. p. 138.ISBN978-1-4461-9038-8.
