The Rhaeadr y Cwm is a waterfall on the Afon Cynfal river in Gwynedd, North Wales. The falls are located near the B4391 road, some 3 miles (5km) east of Ffestiniog.[2]
Rhaiadr Cwm, (by David Cox)
Rhaeadr y Cwm is located at SH736415 on the Afon Cynfal river, a watercourse that drains Migneint (to the east), an area of upland covering over 47,000 acres (19,000ha).[3][4] The river drops about 400 feet (120m) as it flows through the gorge which separates the upland from the lowland course of the river.[5][6] The waterfall's run covers a cascade of six steps through a narrow gorge.[5]
The waterfall can be viewed from a lay-by on the adjacent B4391 road (SH732418) between the A470 and A4212 roads.[7][8] Due to the nature of heavy rainfall on the long falls over a steep drop, it has been described as "..one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Britain."[9]
There is a proposal to build a weir above the waterfall and pipe some of the water away from a hydrolectric scheme. Those backing the scheme state that it will generate enough electricity to power 700 homes. Opponents say that up to 70% of the water will be diverted away from the falls, which will change the overall look of the waterfall.[10] There are also concerns that the moisture-loving mosses and liverworts that line the gorge's sides will be affected by the water diversion.[11]
Rhaeadr means waterfall in Welsh, and cwm means mountain hollow.[12]
↑ Condry, William (1987). Snowdonia. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. p.124. ISBN0-7153-8734-0.
↑ "Voelas, Ysbyty Ifan, Rhaeadr-y-Cwm". The North Wales Weekly News. 19 July 1954. p.6.
↑ Somerville, Ewan (3 January 2024). "Snowdonia waterfall could be diverted to hit net zero target". The Daily Telegraph. No.52, 453. p.12. ISSN0307-1235.
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