Managing the Afon Conwy

The title for the 2014 Field-work Focus, "How well managed is your chosen stretch of river?" opened possibilities to study the management issues of the Afon Conwy which flows for over 50 km northwards from Migneint Moor into the Irish Sea at Conwy. Draining an area of 590 km2,  the river is subject to flooding, especially around the town of Llanrwst. Its headwaters are found on the hard impermeable rocks of Migneint Moor, an are which receives over 2000mm of rain per year. The saturated peat of the moorland cannot absorb much of the water, so its runs off quickly, which in turn leads to flooding. Llanrwst happens to be situated well down the river downstream from where many tributaries like the Lledr and Llugwy join, so contributing their waters to the overall discharge. 

In 2004 the river flooded both Llanrwst and its neighbouring village of Trefriw to such an extent that an improved flood strategy was formulated. These management techniques formed the focus for the study. 

Afon Conwy to the north of Llanrwst.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rare sight - the Afon Bach, a dry tributary of the Conwy.

The Dutch dam - a flexible flood control measure at the junction of Watling Street and Bridge Street.

 

Dutch dam raised to show operation. (www.dutchdam.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outflow of the flood alleviation culvert taking excess flow from the Afon Bach to the Conwy

Caterham Geographers at work