Grwyne Fawr Reservoir, body of water
Grwyne Fawr Reservoir is a large body of water nestled in the valley of the Grwyne Fawr river in the Black Mountains of Powys, Wales. The reservoir sits over 500 meters above sea level and is framed by rocky hillsides and open fields, held back by a substantial concrete dam completed in 1928.
Construction of the reservoir began in 1912 to solve water shortages in the growing industrial areas west of Monmouth, but World War One halted the work significantly. After the war, building resumed in 1919 with a temporary train line and workers' village constructed, before the dam was completed in 1928.
The reservoir has been woven into rural life here for decades, with grazing sheep and cattle as constant features of the landscape. The dam and the remnants of the workers' settlement tell the story of a time when the region needed its people to come together and build something big.
To visit the reservoir, drive from Abergavenny on the Old Hereford Road, turn at Pantygelli, and follow narrow lanes through forest and farmland to the car park. Walking routes vary from challenging hillside paths with uneven ground to gentler marked trails, with sturdy footwear recommended for all routes.
The dam was constructed with 200,000 tons of sandstone and faced with cut stone, making it a notable example of early engineering work. The site gained attention in 1998 when Prince William and Prince Harry rappelled down the dam face without helmets, an event that became widely remembered.
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