A river in Denbighshire and Conwy has been changing course dramatically in recent years, with one local claiming a 100-metre section of Afon Elwy had shifted 50 metres
The river is creeping closer to a nearby road having abandoned its original course to the north(Image: Google)
The shifting path of a North Wales river has left local residents deeply concerned and prompted warnings from environmental authorities. Footage shared online revealed the river’s dramatic movements had created a new island while leaving a former riverbed exposed.
One local resident claimed a 100-metre stretch of Afon Elwy had moved 50 metres in less than two years. Heras fencing has been installed along the riverbank amid fears the river could undermine a nearby road if it continues to erode the neighbouring farmland.
“The whole river’s moved,” said Andy Walker, who outlined his concerns on video. “It’s crazy. The riverbank is being ripped apart and it will take away the road within a year I reckon.”
The section in question lies approximately 140ft upstream of Pont y Ddol, an 18th century stone bridge featuring a distinctive hump over its main arch. Situated on the boundary between Conwy and Denbighshire, north of Llannefydd, it carries an unclassified road across the waterway. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter
A recent meeting bringing together landowners, residents and the community council took place to address local anxieties. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) also attended, having previously highlighted problems on the river stemming from channel widening and unauthorised gravel extraction, reports North Wales Live.
One resident described the changes near Pont y Ddol as “unbelievable”, adding: “It’s never was like that before.”
“I’m no expert but I’ve been in that river since the Beatles were in the charts and my crotchet river bag was in fashion and it never looked like that, or even changed in 50 years.”
The exposed riverbed is a meander scar formed when the river flows at varying speeds across its breadth. It represents one of multiple instances along the Elwy which, over time, has been susceptible to human intervention.
Throughout the decades the river has undergone modification, including substantial straightening during the mid-1960s. Weirs were constructed and certain sections were channelised to provide agricultural or urban protection. Experts have cautioned that this could lead to accelerated flow rates further downstream, potentially heightening flood risks in lower-lying communities such as St Asaph.
The precise cause of the river’s course alteration near Pont y Ddol remains unclear. However, NRW has previously highlighted the risks posed by unauthorised work on watercourses like the Elwy.
This followed mounting reports of harm inflicted by landowners throughout Wales extracting gravel, reshaping banks and straightening river channels. Over the past century this has resulted in the nation losing upwards of 50% of its river gravel shoals.
An NRW spokesperson said: “Rivers such as the Elwy are highly sensitive to these activities. There is evidence that this type of work has taken place historically.
“Such interventions can create new problems, including increased erosion and flood risk, as well as damage to wildlife. They can also affect neighbouring land and structures, which could lead to legal liability and expensive repairs.”
The Elwy, a tributary of the River Clwyd, is celebrated for its excellent runs of sea trout and salmon. The fishing stretch upstream of Pont y Ddol falls under the management of Rhyl and St Asaph Angling Association, whose members have likewise voiced their worries.
On social media, a well-known angler noted that while two river channels had existed for some time, erosion had intensified over the past two years. In agreement, another commented: “I was there about six months ago and it seemed to me the river was trying to divert itself around the back of the bridge, which would be a major problem.
“Another angler I spoke to recently…. said the river had moved so close to the gated access that you wouldn’t be able to drive into the field any more. If correct, the river must be close to washing out the public highway.”
At this location, the boundary between Denbighshire and Conwy follows the river’s course. River maintenance falls under the remit of NRW, while the at-risk road south of the riverbank comes under Conwy Council’s jurisdiction.
The local authority confirmed it had not installed the security fencing currently protecting the river. However, a spokesperson stated: “We are aware of the concerns of the local community in relation to the changing course of the river.
“A meeting has recently been held with the community council, landowners, residents and NRW to discuss the concerns raised, where the roles and responsibilities of each party were clarified. Conwy County Borough Council is the highway authority and we will continue to monitor the road and bridge.”
In response to historical man-made issues affecting the river, recent initiatives have concentrated on “rewiggling” the Elwy. The objective is to reinstate natural meanders in stretches of the river that were artificially straightened decades ago.
This represents a form of natural flood risk management (NFRM) – methods intended to reduce water flow speeds and reconnect the river with its original floodplain. Research on the Elwy identified an extensive list of 400 potential NFRM schemes that could be implemented across the river’s catchment area, ranging from leaky dams to wetland tree planting.
NRW is keen to prevent current landowner activities from causing additional harm. A spokesperson said: “Many of the issues identified locally could be avoided if landowners contact us before starting any work.
“Early advice helps ensure works are properly planned, lawful and sustainable.”
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