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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Carol
The water level was really low – great photos!
Nikki
Thank you! It’s still really low at the moment.
tomthebackroadstraveller
…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!
Nikki
Thank you! We’ve had some rain, but not nearly enough yet.
Felicity Grace Terry
As someone else laid low by Covid you have my sympathy.
Yet more great shots, I so admire your ability with the camera, thank you for sharing.
Nikki
Thanks. I’d managed to avoid it for two and a half years, so was gutted when I finally came down with it.
Alan Rolfe
The water levels are worryingly low. We really need some prolonged rain now.
Beverley
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 🙂
Sarah
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
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.
Jo
Lovely photos. We definitely need some rain.
Denise Bush
Beautiful scenery and compositions! I see you have the same fireweed that we have here, in Colorado.
Her Digital Coffee
I’m glad you were able to spend some time outdoors. What a beautiful sunny day!
Ann
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
Nikki
The leaves started turning brown and falling early this year due to having such a dry summer.
Pauline
Beautiful photos, we all certainly need some proper rain, it might come this weekend.
Eastside Cats Blog
Look at that; such a huge difference in the water line.
Here’s hoping the drought comes to an end…but not all at once!
Kris P
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.
Pit
It’s a sad sight when water levels are that low, isn’t it? But still, there’s some striking scenery around. Thz for sharing.
Diana Studer
That reminds me of pictures of our dams at the worst time, when they were desperately pumping out the last available bit. Poor fish don’t have much chance left.
Kelly
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!
Wendy Williams
So sad to see these water levels so low. I hope you get a wet winter and your levels rise again
Yvonne (@Fiction_Books)
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 🙂
Marty
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.
Nikki
I am, thanks 🙂
Lorrie Orr
A beautiful place, with great photos, but the low water level is concerning. I hope rain falls soon.
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
I looked at your other post and the difference is marked. Great photos, but worrying, as others have said. I hope you are fully recovered now. We are still holding out but I’m sure it will get us in the end.
CherryPie
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.
Soma @ InkTorrents.com
The water lever is so low. Great photos of a beautiful place. I hope you are fully recovered and doing well by now.
-Soma
Pit