Llyn Cefni

History

During World War II, a water scheme was devised for the town of Llangefni in central Anglesey. It involved water from a local source being pumped to two settling tanks in the Dingle part of the town. From here the water was pumped across the river to a reservoir and water tower, on the site of the present Pennant Estate. These arrangements became redundant with the building of the Cefni Reservoir, which was completed in 1951, but the settling tanks and pumping station survive in Llangefni to this day. The new scheme was designed to supply most of the water needs for the people of Anglesey for the foreseeable future.

Geography

The Afon Cefni is one of the main rivers of Anglesey. It was dammed about 1 mi northwest of Llangefni, just below the confluence of the tributary from Tregaian with other streams flowing from the northwest, and the reservoir has a catchment area of about 9400 acre.

The reservoir is fed by two main streams, the Afon Frogwy entering from the west and the Afon Erddreiniog from the north east end. The reservoir is easily accessible from Llangefni, as well defined paths run from the town through the local nature reserve, The Dingle, one of the few ancient woodland sites on the island. It can also be accessed by the Lôn Las Cefni cycleway which follows the Afon Cefni from The Dingle and divides at the dam.

In the summer of 2011, toxic blue-green algae were found in the reservoir and visitors were advised to avoid contact with the water.

References

References

1. (2015). "Anglesey Towns and Villages". Amberley Publishing Limited.
2. Institution of Municipal Engineers, London. (1951). "Proceedings".
3. Christensen, Mike. (Autumn 1991). "Single Line Working on the Anglesey Central Railway". Wild Swan.
4. (15 April 2004). "Lottery cash aids island reserve". BBC News.
5. "Landscape: Llyn Cefni". Visit Anglesey.
6. (2 August 2011). "Blue green algae found at Llyn Cefni Reservoir and Llyn Coron". Island of Anglesey County Council.