A river in a popular tourist village turned from “crystal clear” to a yellow-brown colour in hours. Waters from the Afon Llugwy in the popular Eryri village of Betws-y-Coed flow over the famous Swallow Falls.
Locals were concerned there may have been a spill or pollution after witnessing a dramatic change in colour. Kayakers were the first to raise the alarm on Saturday morning, December 28, describing the water as “bright yellow”.
Pictures taken hours later from Betws-y-Coed’s medieval Pont-y-pair bridge showed the river then displaying an orange-brown hue. One visitor commented: “It was very discoloured today,” adding, “I’ve not seen like that before.”
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water was the first to respond after the incident was reported by Betws-y-Coed Anglers Club, followed closely by officers from Natural Resources Wales (NRW). For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
Investigations are ongoing. Paula Harley, NRW’s operations manager, told North Wales Live: “We have received several reports of murky discolouration in the Afon Llugwy near to Betws Y Coed. Officers were on sight shortly after the report and we continued our investigation this morning (Sunday, December 29).”
The view from Pont-y-Pair Bridge in Betws-y-Coed
(Image: Owen Hughes/North Wales Live)
The majestic Rhaeadr y Wennol (Swallow Falls)
(Image: Robert Parry Jones/North Wales Live)
The Afon Llugwy is a tributary of the River Conwy and flows down from the Carneddau range of mountains in Eryri. Its catchment has the highest average annual rainfall in England and Wales.
Some believe that the cause could be related to this winter’s heavy rainfall. The finger is being pointed at Coed Mawr Pool Mine, a former lead processing site near Llyn Pencraig, which connects to the River Llugwy through a 19th-century drainage adit.
An official from a local angling club, who noticed the change in water colour, claimed: “Probably something has collapsed inside sending the water level higher and is discharging. NRW have called me back, they are also contacting a fish expert.”
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water said their inspections found no issues with their infrastructure. A spokesperson commented: “Our team were on site following the report of discoloured water. We have no asset at the location where the discoloured water was entering the river and all our assets in the area were checked and operating as they should.”
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