Llyn Clywedog – Summer 2022

Llyn Clywedog – Summer 2022

Having been stuck indoors for the past couple of weeks due to covid, I was itching to go somewhere… anywhere! On Saturday, I decided to take Mum for a drive around Llyn Clywedog as I’d heard the water levels were low.

Clywedog Dam
Clywedog Dam
The low water level at Clywedog.
The low water level at Clywedog.

Our first stop was at Caffi Clywedog for a spot of lunch and ice cream sundaes. Caffi Clywedog sits above Clywedog Dam, looking down at the dam and reservoir, it was immediately obvious that the water level was low. While we were enjoying our lunch, Radiate Arts (next door) was hosting a free cycle maintenance workshop as part of their Pedal Pals community project. They have several projects on throughout the year.

Drought at Llyn Clywedog.

Low water levels at Clywedog Reservoir due to drought.

Llyn Clywedog during August 2022.

The remains of a tree on the dried floor of Llyn Clywedog.
The remains of a tree on the dried floor of Llyn Clywedog.

From there, we made our way around the reservoir, stopping at various places along the way to take photographs. Despite the low water level, there were still a small number of fishing boats on the water.

Llyn Clywedog.

A fishing boat in the water at Llyn Clywedog.

Dry vegetation at Clywedog.

The northwestern end of Llyn Clywedog.
The northwestern end of Llyn Clywedog.

Clywedog Reservoir in drought.

The drought was more evident at the northwestern end of the reservoir. I could stand at what should have been the water’s edge, yet it was quite a distance away.

The remains of a wall and fence at Llyn Clywedog.
The remains of a wall and fence at Llyn Clywedog.
Cracked ground at Clywedog Reservoir.
Cracked ground at Clywedog Reservoir.

Llyn Clywedog.

Llyn Clywedog.

Much of Wales is now in drought status after the driest five-month period in 40 years. According to Natural Resources Wales, the Upper Severn area has had just 25.7% of its monthly average rainfall. I certainly don’t remember the water being this low in my lifetime.

30 comments

  1. tomthebackroadstraveller says:

    …these are gorgeous images of the area. It was been extreme dry here too, I hope that both of us get needed rain. Take crae!

  2. Beverley says:

    Hello Nikki. Stunning photographs of Clywedog.Those water levels do look very low, lets hope for enough rain to fill up the reservoirs soon.
    Thank you for visiting my blog too 🙂

  3. Sarah says:

    We certainly need rain that’s for sure. The water levels at the Clywedog are extremely low, and Severn Trent are still letting water out through the dam, which is not helping the water levels.

    • Nikki says:

      I can’t see the levels going back to normal this year, although I’m betting we still get the flooding we’ve had these past few years in the autumn.

  4. Ann says:

    We desperately need rain, that’s for sure.
    The water levels everywhere are dramatically low, and it’s quite a depressing sight, isn’t it.
    That final photo is stunning, although the scenery here looks quite Autumnal! xxx

  5. Kris P says:

    Striking photos and beautiful scenery, Nikki. However, the drought conditions and low water levels in your reservoir, as well as ours here in California and all over the world are downright frightening. I hope the rain returns in your area and that the reservoir returns to normal levels soon.

  6. Kelly says:

    Wonderful photos! Despite the low water levels, it’s still a beautiful location. It’s alarming how many places like this there are now, all over the world!

  7. We too, have been struck down by the dreaded COVID, although we don’t seem to be faring too badly, however that seems to change in waves hour by hour, day by day!

    Here in Somerset, we were actually added to the drought stricken areas earlier this week, although Wessex Water still doesn’t have a hosepipe ban in force, as apparently some time ago they invested in a series of underground storage facilities, so we do have some contingency which other areas don’t.

    I understand the weather is pretty much on the change from now onwards, although any rain we get for some time to come, is going to make little difference to the immediate problem. At least it means that we won’t have to keep watering the gardens though!

    Whilst it’s such a shame that we need to se our landscape in such a depleted pose, it still is such an awesome sight and as ever, you managed to get some amazing shots! Hopefully we will never have to see the likes again in our lifetimes?…

    I hope you are fully recovered now 🙂

  8. Marty says:

    In spite of the effect of climate change on the area, what a beautiful place this is. I’m sorry about your covid infection; I do hope you’re feeling better.

  9. CherryPie says:

    I hope you are fully recovered from Covid.

    Despite the water levels being low your photos are stunning.

    I was holidaying (with family) in Wales during the drought of 76 and I remember the Eureka moment, back home when it rained for the first time after the period of drought.

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