River Tawe

The River Tawe is a river in south Wales which meets the sea at Swansea (Abertawe in Welsh).

Related Topics:
South Wales - Swansea - Welsh

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The river flows from its source in the old red sandstone hills in a more or less south-westerly direction. The only large tributary is the River Clydach. The Tawe passes through a number of towns and villages including Ystradgynlais, Ystalyfera, Pontardawe and Clydach.

Related Topics:
Ystradgynlais - Ystalyfera - Pontardawe - Clydach

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The lower part of the valley was intensely industrialised in the 18th and 19th centuries and was especially impacted by metal refining and working and to a much lesser extent by porcelain manufacture. Large areas of the lower valley remain contaminated by industrial spoil containing copper, lead, nickel and zinc. The only significant extant relic of those times is a major nickel refinery at Clydach. The quality of the river is now greatly improved but some metal concentrations remain elevated above normal.

Related Topics:
Porcelain - Copper - Lead - Nickel - Zinc

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In the headwaters of the river, Cray reservoir is used to supply potable water to north Swansea.

Related Topics:
Cray reservoir - Potable

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