Farson Digital Watercams - Hi-def webcam on River Ystwyth, at Dolau Afon

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Dolau Afon Holidays

Dolau Afon, Llanafan, Aberystwyth, SY23 4BQ

Situated within the Cambrian Mountains, the last wilderness of Wales. Set within an 'International Dark Sky Area' and close to the west coast.Dolau Afon, a former 3 acre smallholding, which dates back some 200 years, and originally formed part of the Trawsgoed Estate. We are a small, friendly, husband and wife run/owned site, offering a rural retreat in spectacular and beautiful surroundings - peace, quiet and tranquility is what we are about. Some of the many beautiful things about staying with us, is the bird song, the lovely morning sunrise coming up the valley and the sun setting down the valley, the wonderful walks that surround us, the site being sheltered and south facing and the river, where you can take a dip in the pool under the bridge. Just a few reasons for coming to stay. Stay in our lovely self catering accommodation or camp on our beautiful touring campsite, surrounded by woodland, forest and bounded by the river Ystwyth. We welcome families, solo visitors, cyclists and motorcyclists, and we are dog friendly. From our site, there are a many opportunities for exploration and adventure, from walking, cycling or touring and star gazing. You might want to take advantage of our complimentary fishing licence, to fish from our riverbank, fly and spinning, worm only.

Website | Email | 01974 261861
Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. SY23 3FL

Since 1872, we have built a global reputation for teaching excellence and ground-breaking research. Today, we are home to students from all over the world. We pride ourselves on our welcome and inclusivity, while at the same time being a university rooted in excellence and research. As the first University College in Wales, Aberystwyth has a long and distinguished tradition of teaching and research, and our establishment in the 19th century is one of the great stories of pioneering achievement in modern Welsh history. Research and innovation are the lifeblood of Aberystwyth University. They deepen our knowledge and understanding, inform our teaching and enhance your learning experience, and deliver real benefits to everyday lives in Wales and the wider world. For Aberystwyth University, research really matters.

Website | Email | 01970 622900

More information

Many thanks to Dolau Afon Holidays for facilitating this camera's location. This camera is capitally funded by Aberystwyth University. The River Ystwyth, known as the "winding river," stretches for a length of 20.5 miles. Its extensive catchment area covers 75 square miles. The river finds its source in several streams, including the Afon Diliw, located on the western slopes of Plynlimon, bordering Ceredigion and Powys in the Cambrian Mountains. Flowing westwards, the Ystwyth eventually merges with the River Rheidol and drains into the estuary at Aberystwyth, ultimately reaching Cardigan Bay. The Ystwyth valley, encompassing villages such as Ysbyty Ystwyth, Cwm Ystwyth, Pont-rhyd-y-groes, Llanilar, and Llanfarian, remains sparsely populated. However, in previous centuries, the valley was densely inhabited due to its abundant mineral resources. Mining activities for silver, lead, and zinc have been prevalent in the valley since Roman times, reaching their peak in the 18th century. Notably, Cwm Ystwyth Mine was the largest of the numerous mines in the area. Unfortunately, the miners in Cwm Ystwyth experienced a significantly reduced average lifespan of 32 years, primarily due to acute lead poisoning. Presently, there is no active metal mining taking place in the Ystwyth valley.Hafod Uchtryd, a mansion constructed by Thomas Johnes in 1783, with some parts designed by John Nash, held prominence in the area. The mansion's landscaped gardens were created by removing sections of hills to create picturesque views. Roadways, bridges, and an extensive planting of trees were also part of the landscape design. The result was a renowned scenery that attracted numerous visitors, including Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who is believed to have been inspired by the landscape in his poem "Kubla Khan." Although the mansion was demolished in 1955, the landscape remains preserved to this day.Despite the passage of time, the River Ystwyth still carries elevated levels of lead, zinc, and silver in its water, primarily due to seepage from abandoned mine tailings and discharges from mine adits. To address this pollution, Natural Resources Wales has implemented an innovative technique at the Frongoch mine near Pont-rhyd-y-groes. Water from the mine is diverted via a leat to a wetland area, where the vegetation facilitates biological processes that immobilize a significant portion of the pollutants. A similar approach is being employed at the Cwm Rheidol mine near Aberystwyth. These remedial measures are of utmost importance as the area supports a diverse range of wildlife and attracts anglers and tourists. Additionally, a webcam has been installed to monitor the movement of large woody debris in specific areas, including the Capel Bangor road bridge on the River Rheidol and the downstream section of the Grogwynion reach of the Ystwyth. The primary focus of this monitoring is to assess potential risks related to flooding.