Llyn Cowlyd
| Llyn Cowlyd | |
|---|---|
View looking north-east down the length of the lake
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| Location | Snowdonia National Park, north Wales |
| Coordinates | 53°08′N 3°55′W / 53.133°N 3.917°WCoordinates: 53°08′N 3°55′W / 53.133°N 3.917°W |
| Type | natural lake, reservoir |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Surface area | 269 acres (1.1 km2) |
| Average depth | 109 ft (33 m) |
| Max. depth | 229 ft (70 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,164 ft (355 m) |
Llyn Cowlyd is the deepest lake in north Wales. It lies in the Snowdonia National Park at the upper end of Cwm Cowlyd on the south-eastern edge of the Carneddau range of mountains, at a height of 1,164 feet (355 m) above sea level. The lake is long and narrow, measuring nearly 2 miles (3 km) long and about a third of a mile (500 m) wide, and covers an area of 269 acres (1.1 km2). It has a mean depth of 109 feet (33 m) and at its deepest has given soundings of 229 feet (70 m), this being some 45 ft (14 m) greater than its natural depth, the water surface having been raised twice by the building of dams.
The surrounding hills drop steeply to the water's edge, from Cefn Cyfarwydd and Creigiau Gleision to the east, and Pen Llithrig y Wrach to the west, and as a consequence have not been forested in the 20th century, as were the slopes of neighbouring Llyn Crafnant. Indeed there is not a tree to be seen, and the general aspect is one of bleakness. Dependent on the weather conditions, the waters often appear dark.
The supply of water to Llyn Cowlyd is assisted at its south-western end by a leat which runs roughly east–west along the 1370-foot contour to the south and west of the lake, along the Ogwen Valley. It is also fed by water from Llyn Eigiau.
Llyn Cowlyd can be reached by road from Trefriw, some 3 miles (5 km) to the east, although the metalled road stops at a gate, the best part of a mile from the lake itself, beyond which private vehicles are not permitted. Llyn Cowlyd can also be reached by foot from Capel Curig, some 2 miles (3 km) away, from the ridge of Cefn Cyfarwydd, or from above Dolgarrog. A good path runs along the north-western shore of the lake.
The stream which flows from Llyn Cowlyd is called Afon Ddu. This flows into the river Conwy, passing Pont Dolgarrog on the B5106 road, just south of the village of Dolgarrog. The gorge cut by the river at this point is popular for gorge walking.
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Wikipedia