Elan Valley

The Elan Valley is a picturesque area in mid-Wales, located in Powys, near the market town of Rhayader. It is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, Victorian dams, and rich history, particularly in relation to water supply and conservation.

Location: Cambrian Mountains, in central Wales.
Rivers: The valley is formed primarily by the River Elan, a tributary of the River Wye. The River Claerwen also plays a key role.
Terrain: Characterized by rolling hills, steep-sided valleys, moorlands, and dense woodlands.
Reservoirs: There are six major reservoirs in the valley:
Caban Coch
Garreg Ddu
Pen y Garreg
Craig Goch
Claerwen
Dol y Mynach (partially built)
These reservoirs are surrounded by a remote and protected landscape that's part of the Elan Valley Estate, much of which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and lies within the Cambrian Mountains Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA).

History
Late 19th Century – Early 20th Century:
The Elan Valley Reservoirs Scheme was built between 1893 and 1904 to supply clean water to the city of Birmingham, over 70 miles away.
Driven by public health needs in industrial Birmingham, the project was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1892.
The engineer James Mansergh oversaw the project; Birmingham Corporation Water Department led the construction.
A gravity-fed aqueduct was constructed to transport water from the reservoirs to Birmingham without the need for pumping.

Post-WWII, a further dam — the Claerwen Dam — was added and completed in 1952, designed to blend with the original Victorian dams.

The dams and associated infrastructure are considered masterpieces of Victorian engineering.
A temporary workers’ village, "Elan Village," was built to house the thousands of workers and their families during construction.

Elan Valley Timeline
Pre-1890s

The Elan Valley is a remote and sparsely populated area in mid-Wales, known for farming, woodlands, and river valleys.
1892

Birmingham Corporation Water Act is passed by Parliament.
Authorises the compulsory purchase of over 70 square miles of the Elan and Claerwen Valleys.
Aimed at securing a clean and reliable water supply for the rapidly growing city of Birmingham.
1893

Construction begins on the Elan Valley Reservoirs and aqueduct.
Engineer: James Mansergh
Workforce: Thousands of navvies, housed in the specially constructed Elan Village.
Work includes dams, reservoirs, filtration systems, and the 73-mile gravity-fed aqueduct to Birmingham.
1904

The first four dams are completed:
Caban Coch
Garreg Ddu
Pen y Garreg
Craig Goch
Water begins flowing to Birmingham.
The project is considered a major triumph of Victorian civil engineering.
1904–1940s

The area becomes a symbol of public health and civic infrastructure.
The system performs reliably for decades.
The valley remains largely undeveloped, with conservation gradually taking root.
1952

The Claerwen Dam is completed.
Designed in a style that complements the earlier Victorian dams but uses more modern concrete construction.
Significantly increases water storage capacity.
1980s–1990s

Greater environmental awareness leads to improved landscape conservation.
Much of the Elan Estate is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
1996

The Elan Valley Trust is established.
Manages 72 square miles of estate land transferred from Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru).
Balances conservation, heritage, agriculture, and public access.
2000s–Present

The Elan Valley becomes a popular eco-tourism and heritage destination.
Ongoing work focuses on:
Habitat restoration
Sustainable water management
Community education and access
Dark sky protection (designated as an International Dark Sky Park in 2015)

The Elan Valley

PORTFOLIO

Showcase

Claerwen Reservoir