Llyn Brenig

Right. Let’s talk about Llyn Brenig. It’s a reservoir, ostensibly. An artificial body of water clinging to the Denbigh Moors in what passes for North Wales . Built between 1973 and 1976, a rather unremarkable period, if you ask me. They chucked up an embankment dam across the valley of the Afon Brenig, a rather obvious move for anyone with a passing acquaintance with hydrology. It sits at a lofty 1,200 feet, straddling the arbitrary lines of Conwy and Denbighshire . Its primary function? To keep the River Dee from throwing a tantrum, part of some grander scheme called the River Dee regulation system . Apparently, it’s all about ensuring the water supply for the perpetually parched masses of North West England and the eastern bits of Wales , particularly Liverpool and its sprawling hinterland. With an area of 920 acres, it’s the fourth largest lake in Wales. A fact that hardly sets the world alight, but there it is. It’s dwarfed by Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid), Llyn Trawsfynydd , and Lake Vyrnwy . The usual suspects.

History

Construction, as I mentioned, was a 1970s affair, concluding in 1976. They built this earthen bank, laced with stone, reaching up to 45 meters at its peak. It effectively choked the Afon Brenig near a village called Pentre-Llyn-Cymmer, which is in Cerrigydrudion , if you must know. The northern reaches of this watery imposter spill into the community of Nantglyn . Its shoreline, a rather generous 9 miles, is more a suggestion than a hard boundary.

Brenig, with a capacity of 60 million cubic meters, took its sweet time filling, finally reaching capacity in 1979. The catchment area, bless its heart, is woefully inadequate. It’s so “over-reservoired” that it can’t possibly refill itself within a single annual hydrological cycle . So, after they’ve siphoned off its precious water, it can take years to recover. Pathetic, really. Water is only released from Llyn Brenig when Llyn Celyn and Bala Lake are on the brink of failing to sustain the flow of the River Dee . A last resort, then.

Beyond its utilitarian purpose, the lake plays host to a commercial trout farm. And, for reasons I cannot fathom, commercial logging is conducted around its edges. Because nothing screams ecological preservation like clear-cutting near a water source.

Leisure

Apparently, Llyn Brenig is a popular spot for those who enjoy flinging themselves around outdoors. Hiking , mountain biking , fishing, and various water-based tomfoolery are on offer. It even has a visitor centre and a cafe, because nothing says “escape to nature” like overpriced coffee and gift shop tat.

Watersports

The lake doesn’t discriminate when it comes to watery pursuits. Fishing , canoeing , paddle boarding , and the ever-popular open water swimming are all permitted. If you fancy yourself a nautical adventurer, you can hire power craft for angling and general recreation. There’s even a sailing club, presumably for those who enjoy the thrill of being slowly propelled by wind. Back in 1990, this reservoir had the dubious honor of being the only Welsh venue for the World Fly Fishing Championships . A testament to its… mediocrity?

Archaeology

During the reservoir’s construction, archaeologists unearthed evidence that the Afon Brenig valley had been a thoroughfare for upland communities for millennia. They found a Mesolithic camp, dated by radiocarbon analysis of charcoal from ancient fires to around 5700 BC . There were also Bronze Age artifacts, a ring cairn – essentially a Bronze Age burial mound – and several barrows . They’ve even laid out archaeological trails around the place. Because nothing complements a man-made disaster like a manufactured historical experience.

Ospreys

This is where it gets mildly interesting, I suppose. A pair of ospreys decided to grace the lake with their presence in 2018, marking the fifth breeding site in Wales. Then, in 2020, some Channel 4 reality television programme called The Bridge may have, shall we say, interfered with their nesting season. Then, in April 2021, some absolute Neanderthals decided to take a chainsaw to the osprey nest platform. Truly a masterclass in human stupidity. The same pair, remarkably resilient, returned in 2022 and hatched chicks in a hastily rebuilt nest. The Brenig Osprey Project, a collaboration between the North Wales Wildlife Trust and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water , has set up a viewpoint and a hide, complete with online streaming. Because watching birds is apparently the pinnacle of entertainment.