River Vyrnwy

The River Vyrnwy rises in the hills of northern Powys, Wales, and flows into Shropshire, England. It is the main tributary of the River Severn. The river once began from many mountain streams, but since the 1880s it has started at Lake Vyrnwy dam. The dam was built to store water and control flooding downstream. The river travels 63.9 kilometres before joining the Severn near Melverley. The final 12.9 kilometres form the border between Wales and England. White-water paddlers visit the upper river often. The upper reaches include Grade II rapids and a few Grade III sections, especially near Dolanog. The most striking feature is Dolanog Falls, a 6-metre man-made weir that kayakers must carry their boats around. Below Pontrobert the river calms to Grade I, making it suitable for gentle touring. Floods can still make the lower river difficult, but most of the time it is calm. The valley around the Vyrnwy is quiet and rural. Walkers follow paths beside the water, while anglers try for trout and salmon. The dam itself stands at the head of the lake, a large reservoir surrounded by forests and hills. Visitors can see the dam wall and the spillway where water flows back into the river. The landscape changes from steep gorges in the upper valley to wide meadows near the border.