(18) Llyn Brianne Dam

Distance from Craig-y-Nos Castle 38 Miles

Llyn Brianne reservoir was originally built to satisfy the growing demands of heavy industry in and around Swansea for water, notably the tin plate works at Felindre and a smelting plant at Llansamlet. Ironically, both these have since closed down and water from Llyn Brianne which is surplus to the Swansea area's needs now goes into the general supply, quenching thirsts all the way from Llanelli, across West and South Wales and as far East as Cardiff.

The dam, built with a clay core and rock fill, is believed to be the highest of its type in
Europe. Work started on the reservoir in October 1968, and the first water was supplied in October 1972. Princess Alexandra formally opened the project in mid 1973
Three Francis-pattern turbines were later installed in a hydro-electric plant, one capable of handling the normal 1.5 million gallons/day (6800m3) summertime flow from the reservoir This operates all the year round The other, larger, turbines run from November to March, when Winter rains keep the reservoir full, together producing 4.3Mw - enough electricity to power a small town.