The Elan Valley forms part of the rugged Cambrian Mountains, and is home to many dams, reservoirs and wildlife.

The dams and reservoirs were built by the Victorians to supply clean water to Birmingham. There are four dams on the river Elan; Craig Goch, Pen y Garreg, Garreg Ddu, and Caban Coch. The river Claerwen has the newest, and largest Claerwen dam followed by the unfinished Dol y Mynach dam. Each of the dams and reservoirs are unique in their design.

The Elan Estate is 180 square kilometres and falls within the Cambrian Mountains Environmentally Sensitive Area, The Estate also forms the major part of the 30,000 hectare Elenydd-Mallaen Special Protection Area under the European Wild Birds Directive. It also has three Special Areas of Conservation under the European Habitats and Species Directive. One is for the woodlands and two are for the upland bogs, which together total over 6,000 hectares.

Elen Valley has been awarded an International Dark Sky Park Award which helps the many nocturnal mammals in the Claerwen and Elan Valleys to thrive.

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The Dams of Elan Valley


The Dams of Elan Valley


The Elan Valley forms part of the rugged Cambrian Mountains, and is home to many dams, reservoirs and wildlife.

The dams and reservoirs were built by the Victorians to supply clean water to Birmingham. There are four dams on the river Elan; Craig Goch, Pen y Garreg, Garreg Ddu, and Caban Coch. The river Claerwen has the newest, and largest Claerwen dam followed by the unfinished Dol y Mynach dam. Each of the dams and reservoirs are unique in their design.

The Elan Estate is 180 square kilometres and falls within the Cambrian Mountains Environmentally Sensitive Area, The Estate also forms the major part of the 30,000 hectare Elenydd-Mallaen Special Protection Area under the European Wild Birds Directive. It also has three Special Areas of Conservation under the European Habitats and Species Directive. One is for the woodlands and two are for the upland bogs, which together total over 6,000 hectares.

Elen Valley has been awarded an International Dark Sky Park Award which helps the many nocturnal mammals in the Claerwen and Elan Valleys to thrive.


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