Ystradfellte Reservoir

Ystradfellte Reservoir is a water storage reservoir on the Afon Dringarth in the upland area of Fforest Fawr within the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. It lies just north of the village of Ystradfellte in the county of Powys at OS Grid ref SN 946178.

Ystradfellte Reservoir
A view of Ystradfellte Reservoir
Location of lake in Wales
Location of lake in Wales
Ystradfellte Reservoir
LocationWales
Coordinates51°50′56″N 3°31′48″W / 51.849°N 3.530°W / 51.849; -3.530
Typereservoir
Primary inflowsAfon Mellte / River Mellte
Primary outflowsAfon Mellte / River Mellte
Catchment area2.3 km2 (570 acres)
Basin countriesWales
Max. length1,220 metres (4,000 ft)
Max. width66 m (217 ft)
Surface area200 acres (81 ha)
Average depth30 ft (9.1 m)
Max. depth132 ft (40 m)
Water volume40,000,000 imp gal (180,000 m3)
Surface elevation441 m (1,447 ft)

The embankment is 920 feet (280 m) long by 114 feet (35 m) high. When full the water surface is 1,204 feet (367 m) above sea level.

Construction

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The reservoir was constructed between 1907 and 1914 by Neath Rural District Council for the supply of water. A temporary railway track was constructed for 7 miles (11 km) from the village of Penderyn to transport building materials to the dam site. Limestone was obtained from Penderyn Quarry and puddle clay was excavated from the glacial till at nearby Cilhepste Coed. Sandstone may have been sourced from Gwaun Hepste just east of Ystradfellte. The railway required the construction across the Afon Hepste of a 300 feet (91 m) long, 50 feet (15 m) high wooden viaduct.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ Brecon Beacons National Park Authority
  2. ^ ‘Reservoir Builders of South Wales’ (Dam Builders in the Age of Steam series book six) Bowtell H.D. & Hill G.
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