River Elwy

Geobox|River
name = River Elwy
native_name = Afon Elwy
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image_caption = A view of the river in the 1860s by Francis Bedford (1816–1894)
country = Wales
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source_location = Llangernyw| source_region = | source_country =
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mouth = confluence with River Clwyd
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The River Elwy ("Afon Elwy" in Welsh) is a river in North Wales and is a tributary of the River Clwyd. The source of the river is sometimes said to be on the northern flank of Moel Seisog, south-east of Llanrwst, at Ordnance Survey grid reference SH853593. However the river is only actually called the Elwy at the village of Llangernyw, where three rivers, Afon Cledwen, Afon Collen and Afon Gallen, meet to form the Elwy. It flows eastwards through Llanfair Talhaiarn and a few miles downstream from this village it is joined by a tributary, the River Aled ("Afon Aled") which has its source in Llyn Aled.

After passing through Bont-newydd, the river turns northwards again and flows through St. Asaph ("Llanelwy" or "the church enclosure on the Elwy" in Welsh). It joins the River Clwyd about half way between St. Asaph and Rhuddlan, and the waters of the two rivers can often be seen flowing side by side for several miles.

A number of caves along the lower valley of the Elwy are of great archaeological interest and are considered one of the most important groups of Palaeolithic and later caves and rock shelters in Britain. In particular Pontnewydd Cave contained remains of Neanderthal man and is the most north-westerly site at which Neanderthal remains have been found. The Elwy is also well-known for its sea trout fishing, and also has a small run of Atlantic Salmon.

External links

* [http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/histland/elwy/elwy.htm Historic landscapes - the lower Elwy valley]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2796894 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of the River Elwy and surrounding areas]
* [http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item10/8640 Artifacts from Pontnewydd Cave held on Gathering the Jewels]