Llyn Parc, reservoir in the United Kingdom
Llyn Parc is a natural lake in the Gwydir Forest of North Wales, sitting at about 650 feet (200 meters) elevation. The long, narrow body of water is ringed by forest and managed by a dam built to power mining machinery in earlier times.
Originally a natural lake, it was dammed in the 1800s to power nearby lead and zinc mining operations that employed around 200 workers. A tall stone wall on the western shore was built by French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic era.
The name comes from Welsh, meaning 'park lake'. Today visitors walk the shoreline and forest trails, using the place as a quiet spot to spend time in nature away from busier areas.
The walk climbs steeply uphill through forest for about ninety minutes, with benches scattered along the way for rest breaks. The unpaved trail can be muddy or rocky underfoot, so sturdy footwear is needed, and visitors should stay on marked paths due to unprotected cliff edges.
The lake contains high levels of lead from past mining operations, making it unsuitable for fish and explaining why no fishing is allowed here. This makes it one of the few reservoirs in the region used only for walking, not for recreation or water sports.
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