From Wikipaddle

The River Vyrnwy (Afon Efyrnwy) flows from the bottom (and occasionally over the top) of a large Victorian stone dam, the first of it's kind in the world. Lake Vyrnwy (Llyn Efyrnwy) is a large reservoir at the head of the valley, and at it's fullest holds more than 59,600 megalitres (13,000,000 gallons) of water. The lake covers an area of 4.53 square km, including the old village of Llanwddyn, which is now submerged beneath the water.

The lake is fed by six smaller rivers, each flowing off the six mountains that surround the valley:

• Afon Hirddu
• Eunant
• Afon Eiddew
• Afon Naedroedd
• Afon Cedig
• and Afon Y Dolau Gwynion

The upper Vyrnwy from the Dam down to Dolanog is a good Grade 3 whitewater river, with plenty of exciting features. In contrast, the lower Vyrynwy from Pontobert down to where it joins the Severn, at Melverley, is a gentle Grade 1 to 2 which is highly recommended as a touring trip. The lower Vyrnwy forms part of the English-Welsh border between Powys and Shropshire.

There is a Met-Office weather station in the new village of Llanwddyn beside the lake, which updates every hour with rainfall, wind, pressure and temperature readings for the area.

The Vyrnwy's BCU access officer is David Proctor. He can be contacted on 01691 870615 for information on current river levels and for any recent news about the river. He is also happy to help groups find accommodation.

There is also a recorded answering service at the dam, which gives water level readings (above a summer base-level). It will give you two readings, one from the weir just bellow the dam (this reading rarely changes unless water is flowing over the dam) and the other is from way down river in Llanymynech. Readings are taken at midnight, and the line is updated at 8am each day. Call 0906 6197744, Option 6. You can press 6 again to fast forward ten seconds. Calls are charged at £1 per minute so skipping is a good idea as the first 20 seconds of the recording are usually padding.

Contents 1 Upper Vyrnwy 1.1 The Dam 1.2 Pont Llogel 1.3 Dolanog 1.3.1 Dolanog Weir/Falls 1.3.2 Dolanog Gorge 2 Lower Vyrnwy 2.1 Pontrobert 2.2 A490 Road Bridge 2.3 Meifod 2.4 Melverley 3 FORMAL ACCESS AGREEMENT 4 Map 5 External Links

Upper Vyrnwy

The Dam

There is a road across the top of the Vyrnwy dam, which also runs right around the lake (don't take a wrong turn, it's a low way round). Public parking (free) is available in Llanwddyn village, and you can get onto the river easily from here. The dam is a highly visible (and audible when running over the top) landmark and well worth a photograph.

There is a weir just by the car park, which can be a pinning hazard in lower levels as it hides a small step halfway down, and can form a strong stopper when water is flowing fully along it's length. If water is just flowing down the central chute then it can make a decent play-wave. It is easier to just get on bellow the weir. The main part of this section is straightforward Grade II, with only one major Grade III/IV section. The main hazards will be trees down, and branches reaching across the river.

The first concrete road-bridge you pass under has three small play waves between the pillars varying in strength from left to right.

The grade 3 (a 4 in high water) is a natural falls next to some old mill buildings on river-left. There is a small island just bellow the main drop, which can be run centre-right of the big rocks and preceding down the right-side of the island through another grade 3 drop. Be weary of running too far right as there is a hidden rock-ledge just bellow the surface. Inspection should be made on the day by getting out river-right above the falls.

River Hazard At last known paddle (17th December 2006) there was a large tree down in the middle of the falls, with a large branch reaching across near the right-side of the island. This tree was first reported in late 2000 and does not appear to be going anywhere quickly.

From here on down there's nothing really worth noting, just watch out for downed trees as many of them are precariously perched on eroding banks. There's a second small road-bridge to go under, and then you're well on your way to Pont Llogel.

Pont Llogel

At Pont Llogel there is free parking (courtesy of the Forestry Commission) on river-left just below the bridge. The banks here are quite steep so getting-out may be hard if the river's running fast, but getting in is fairly easy. The river form here down to Dolanog is a good deal more exciting and constant than above, and ends spectacularly in the gorge section.

Dolanog

The small village of Dolanog hosts a few more Grade III rapids, the infamous Dolanog falls, and marks the start of the Dolanog Gorge. There are several lay-bys dotted allong the road and close to Dolanog Weir and so this is a logical place to end your trip (unless you want to run the Gorge of course!)

Dolanog Weir/Falls

River Hazard This is a necessary portage. The 20ft falls has been attempted in the past however it is not advisable to paddle it. Several large trees are now lodged in the weir, and it holds little appeal to most paddlers.

After the bridges there's a short rapid followed immediately by a slowing, flatting section of water with a clear horizon line about 100m ahead. Portage on the right bank and walk along the road a short way. You can either get back in immediately below the falls or about 100m downstream above a small bridge.

Also worth noting is this bridge is in a varying state of disrepair and has debris lodged in the roof/floor (whichever way you choose to look at it). In very high water this bridge may be too low to pass under and a portage may be necessary (as you'll be out anyway just carry on to the other side).

Dolanog Gorge

This Grade III+ section is arguably the most fun part of the river for whitewater Canoeists and Kayakers. With about half a mile of constant rapids, in a steep sided gorge, this makes for a very fun time and an excellent end to a day's paddling. At higher levels it can reach into a Grade IV.

There's a lay-by right beside the start of the gorge, and a footpath follows the river most of the way (wandering away from the river slightly in places where the walls are too steep). It is advisable to do a run down the path at the start of the day to check for any hazards and to plan a rout down some of the drops. This path can also be used for bank support with lines if required, and at the end of the paddle to walk out of the gorge back to the lay-by, saving the 5km of flat Grade I to Pontrobert.

Lower Vyrnwy

Pontrobert

A490 Road Bridge

Meifod

Melverley

FORMAL ACCESS AGREEMENT

• None know.

There do not appear to be any problems with access anywhere along the river.

Map

External Links

• MetOffice Observation post at Lake Vyrnwy.