Llyn Elsi is a lake located above the village of Betws-y-coed in the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. It is a reservoir providing water for the village.
| Llyn Elsi | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Llyn Elsi | |
| Location | Snowdonia National Park, North Wales |
| Coordinates | 53°4′48″N 3°49′6″W / 53.08000°N 3.81833°W |
| Type | former natural lake, reservoir |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Surface area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| Max. depth | 31 ft (9.4 m) |
| Islands | 1 |
There is a path round the lake, and affords good views to the north-west towards the mountain ranges of the Carneddau and the Glyderau. Snowdon itself is not visible behind Moel Siabod.[1] The lake is more than 700 ft above sea level,[2] and has a small island.
The 20 ft dam was built in 1914,[3] but even so the lake only has a maximum depth of approximately 9 metres.[4] Prior to this the lake was two smaller lakes, called Llyn Rhisgog and Llyn Enoc.[4][5] A memorial at the northern end of the lake commemorates the fact that Lord Ancaster permitted the building of the dam and the use of the lake as a water supply.[6]
In 1946 black-headed gulls established a colony at the lake, causing concern over pollution to the water supply.[2]
The lake is kept stocked with various type of trout by the local angling club.[4]
Llyn Elsi can be reached on foot by various paths, one starting behind St. Mary's church in the village.[7]
References
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- ^ North Wales (Northern Section). Ward Lock & Co. 1964. pp. 113–114.
- ^ a b Shaw, Donald (1990). The A-Z of Betws-y-coed. Gwasg Carreg Gwalch. pp. 39–40. ISBN 0863811531.
- ^ Morris, Lydia (1 January 2017). "9 New Year's Day 2017 North Wales walks to suit everyone". Daily Post. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
- ^ a b c Hatton-Ellis, Tristan (January 2016). "Evidence Review of Lake Eutrophication in Wales" (PDF). NRW Evidence Reports.
- ^ "Mannau dirgel Betws y Coed". BBC Radio Cymru. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
- ^ Jones, Jonah (1983). The Lakes of North Wales. Y Lolfa. pp. 88–89. ISBN 9780862436261.
- ^ Snowdonia. H.M. Stationery Office. 1969. p. 80.