Welsh Icons - Rivers of Wales River Towy

River Towy

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The Twyi valley at Dryslwyn. Photograph © Andy Prosser

The River Towy (Welsh: Afon Tywi) is the longest river which entirely runs through Wales.

It rises on lower slopes of Crug Gynan in the Cambrian Mountains grid reference SN802631 and flows through the Tywi Forest forming the border between Ceredigion and Powys.

The Llyn Brianne reservoir was formed here in 1972 by damming a section of the river in order to store winter rain so that it could be released into the river during dry periods. The purpose behind this construction was to support the new abstraction at Nant Garedig that was destined to supply a large swathe of south Wales with drinking water. The flow in the River Tywi would have been unable to sustain such an abstraction were it not for the release of water from the upland reservoir.

The river flows south-westwards through Carmarthenshire passing through the towns of Llandovery, Llandeilo. In Carmarthen it is joined by the substantial tributary, the Afon Gwili at Abergwili. Finally the Tywi flows into Carmarthen Bay in a combined estuary with the River Tâf and River Gwendraeth, east of the Pendine Sands. The mouth of the Towy estuary is guarded by Llansteffan Castle a 12th Centuary Norman castle.

The total length of the River Tywi is 108 km (68 miles). Its numerous tributaries include the River Cothi, River Gwili, River Brân and River Doethie. The Tywi is noted for trout and salmon fishing.

In October 1987, four people were killed when a train plunged off Glanrhyd Bridge near Llandeilo into the flooded river.

Bridge over the Towy near Llandeilo. Photograph © Mike Rees

Llyn Brianne. Photograph © Janice Lane


 
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