River Teifi (Afon Teifi) |
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Llyn Teifi, the source of the Teifi
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Country | Wales |
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Counties | Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire |
Tributaries | |
- left | Tyweli, Cych |
- right | Dulas, Clettwr, Ceri |
Source | |
- location | Llyn Teifi |
- elevation | 455 m (1,493 ft) |
- coordinates | 52°17′30″N 3°47′24″W / 52.2918°N 3.7900°W |
Mouth | |
- location | Cardigan Bay |
- elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
- coordinates | 52°06′11″N 4°41′20″W / 52.103°N 4.689°WCoordinates: 52°06′11″N 4°41′20″W / 52.103°N 4.689°W |
Length | 117 km (73 mi) |
Basin | 1,008 km2 (389 sq mi) |
Discharge | for Glan Teifi |
- average | 29.1 m3/s (1,028 cu ft/s) |
- max | 373.6 m3/s (13,194 cu ft/s) |
Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Area of Search | Ceredigion |
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Grid reference | SN5153250832 |
Interest | Biological and Geological |
Area | 778.18 ha |
Notification | 1997 |
The River Teifi (Welsh: Afon Teifi pronounced [ˈtəɪvɪ]) forms the boundary between the counties of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire in south-west Wales for most of its length, and the boundary between Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire for the final 3 miles (5 km) of its total length of 73 miles (117 km). It flows into the sea below the town of Cardigan.
The Teifi has its source in Llyn Teifi, one of several lakes known collectively as the Teifi Pools. These are situated towards the north of the county of Ceredigion; the source is in the Cambrian Mountains at 455m. This wide area of Mid-Wales, with a very sparse population, is part of what is sometimes called the "desert of Wales". The river flows past Strata Florida Abbey and then through Pontrhydfendigaid before reaching the main river valley floor. Here it passes through one of the great raised mires of Britain, Gors Goch Glan Teifi, also known as Tregaron Bog. From here the river descends through pastures and bogs forming meanders on farmland below. Several small tributaries join from the valley with gorges, rocky and tree-lined sections also in the area.
Over the next 30 miles (50 km), the Teifi meanders generally south-west in a gentle arc, passing through the towns and villages of Tregaron, Llanddewi Brefi, Cwmann, Lampeter, Llanybydder, Llandysul, Newcastle Emlyn, Cenarth, Llechryd and Cardigan. The river becomes tidal below Llechryd and descends into Cardigan through the steep-sided Cilgerran Gorge. Below Cardigan, the river broadens into a wide estuary, passing St Dogmaels and the seaside resort of Poppit Sands on its southern bank and Gwbert on its northern bank before entering the sea in Cardigan Bay.