River Ystwyth

The River Ystwyth ( /ˈɪstwɪθ/; Welsh: Afon Ystwyth) is a river in the county of Ceredigion, Wales. Its source is a number of streams that include the Afon Diliw, located on the border of Ceredigion and Powys in the Cambrian Mountains.

River Ystwyth at Trawsgoed

The river flows generally westwards before draining into Cardigan Bay at Aberystwyth where it shares the harbour with the River Rheidol.^[1]

The Ystwyth valley is now sparsely populated with only a few towns and villages such as Ysbyty Ystwyth, Cwm Ystwyth, Pont-rhyd-y-groes, Llanilar and Llanfarian. In previous centuries, however, the Ystwyth valley was relatively densely populated due to its mineral wealth. Silver, lead and zinc have been mined in the valley since Roman times, an activity that reached its peak in the 18th century. The largest of the very many mines was Cwm Ystwyth Mine. It is reputed that the average age at death of the miners in Cwm Ystwyth was 32, largely because of acute lead poisoning. There is no active metal mining in the Ystwyth valley today.

The River still carries elevated levels of lead, zinc and silver in its water, mostly due to seepage from abandoned mine tailings and discharges from mine adits.

Away from the abandoned mine workings, the river valley is one of the most beautiful in Wales with steep wooded banks carrying crystal-clear water. It is especially beautiful in autumn. That season tends to bring large numbers of visitors to parts of the upper valley.

Footnotes

References

• Green, John (2006), Afon Ystwyth: The Story of a River, Artery Publications 2006. ISBN 0-9513909-7-X

External links

Media related to Afon Ystwyth at Wikimedia Commons

This Ceredigion location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v d e

v d e Ceredigion Principal settlements Aberaeron Aberporth Aberystwyth Cardigan Lampeter Llandysul New Quay Tregaron Towns and villages Aberarth Aberbanc Aberffrwd Aberlerry Abermagwr Aber-meurig Aberporth Alltyblacca Betws Ifan Beulah Blaencelyn Borth Bow Street Caemorgan Caerwedros Capel Bangor Capel Dewi Ciliau Aeron Comins Coch Cribyn Cwmann Cwmystwyth Devil's Bridge Dôl-y-bont Eisteddfa Gurig Eglwys Fach Elerch Ffostrasol Furnace Glandyfi Gorsgoch Gwbert Llanarth Llanbadarn Fawr Llanddewi Brefi Llandre (Llanfihangel Genau'r Glyn) Llandyfriog Llandygwydd Llanfarian Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn Llanfihangel Ystrad Llangeitho Llangoedmor Llangrannog Llangybi Llangynfelyn Llanilar Llanon Llanrhystud Llansantffraed Llanwenog Llechryd Lledrod Lovesgrove Melindwr Mwnt Oakford Penbryn Penparc Penparcau Penrhyn-coch Penuwch Peny-y-garn Ponterwyd Pontrhydfendigaid Pontrhydygroes Pont-Siân Rhydowen Rhydypennau Salem Silian Talgarreg Tal-y-bont Tirymynach Trefeurig Tregaron Tresaith Tre-Taliesin Tre'r Ddôl Troed y Rhiw Troedyraur Upper Borth Waunfawr Y Faenor Y Ferwig Ynyslas Ysbyty Ystwyth Ystrad Aeron Ystrad Meurig Ystumtuen Universities Aberystwyth University University of Wales, Trinity Saint David Rivers Aeron Arth Brenig Clarach Dulas Leri Llyfnant Mynach Rheidol Teifi Wyre Ystwyth Castles Aberdyfi Aberystwyth Cardigan Dinerth Lampeter Islands Ynys Aberteifi (Cardigan Island) Ynys Lochtyn

Coordinates: 52°19′50″N 3°53′47″W / 52.33056°N 3.89639°W / 52.33056; -3.89639