Llyn Eigiau

Infobox lake
lake_name = Llyn Eigiau
image_lake = Llyn Eigiau view.jpg
caption_lake = from the summit of Clogwynyreryr
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Snowdonia, North Wales
coords = coord|53|10|8|N|3|54|57|W|type:waterbody_region:GB|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Afon Eigiau
outflow = Afon Porth-llwyd
catchment =
basin_countries = United Kingdom
length =
width =
area = convert|120|acre|ha|abbr=on
depth =
max-depth = convert|32|ft|m|abbr=on
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities =
frozen =

Llyn Eigiau is a lake on the edge of the Carneddau range of mountains in Snowdonia, North Wales.

The name "Eigiau" is thought to refer to the shoals of fish which once lived here. Early maps refer to it as "Llynyga". It is thought that a small number of Arctic char exist in the lake (as they do in neighbouring Llyn Cowlyd) after they were transferred here from Llyn Peris, and certainly it is one of the few lakes in Wales to have its own natural brown trout.

In 1911 a dam ¾ mile long and convert|35|ft|m|sing=on high was built across part of its eastern side to supply water for the power station at Dolgarrog, which in turn provided power for the adjacent aluminium works. Materials for the dam were transported along the newly-laid Eigiau Tramway, which ran from Dolgarrog and utilized the route of the former Cedryn Quarry Tramway. The original contractor pulled out of the construction, alleging corner cutting, and indeed on 2nd November 1925, following convert|26|in|mm of rain in just five days, the dam broke. The water flowed down to Coedty reservoir, also causing that to burst, and millions of gallons of water flowed down into the village of Dolgarrog, causing the loss of 17 lives. A new power station was built at Dolgarrog in 1925.Black & white silent film of the incident can be seen [http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/filmitems/29132 here]

A study of the dam today shows that indeed the foundations were quite insufficient, and large lumps of unmixed cement can also be seen.

Today the lake covers an area of about convert|120|acre|km2, and has a depth of about convert|32|ft|m|sing=on. After the construction of the dam its area would have been twice this.

Water is fed into Llyn Eigiau by a tunnel from the stream below Llyn Dulyn, and another larger tunnel takes water from Llyn Eigiau to Llyn Cowlyd.

The main feeder of Llyn Eigiau is Afon Eigiau, a small river which flows down Cwm Eigiau.

The outflow from Llyn Eigiau is called Afon Porth-llwyd, and this flows via Coedty reservoir before passing under Pont Newydd in Dolgarrog. This then flows into the River Conwy.

Although private vehicles are not permitted access to the lake itself, there is a carpark within walking distance, approx. half a mile from the dam and which is reached by road from the B5106 at Tal-y-bont, in the Conwy valley. The road passes through Llanbedr-y-Cennin and thereafter becomes a narrow lane as it goes over the hills towards the lake. Along this lane there are some public footpaths signposted, with stiles to access them over the old dry-stone walls that run along parts of the lane.

ee also

:"Main article : Eigiau Tramway"

References

*"The Lakes of North Wales" by Jonah Jones, Whittet Books Ltd, 1987
*"The Lakes of Eryri" by Geraint Roberts, Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 1985