The Towy River

, Ceredigion

The Towy River

The source of the River Towy is in the Cambrian Mountains just a few miles from that of the areas other great river, the River Teifi. It flows through the steep rugged hills of the Towy Forest and forms the border between Ceredigion and Powys.

About 6 miles from its source back in 1972 the swift flow of the Towy was interrupted by the dam to create the Llyn Brianne reservoir which supplies water to south east Wales.

The Towy is known nationally for big sea trout (local name sewin), the seagoing form of the brown trout. These fish enter the river each spring and early summer to breed in its tributaries. In May the Towy has a run of the rare and protected twaite shad (Alosa fallax) and allis shad (Alosa alosa). The Towy also contains brown trout, eels, pike, and a variety of small fish species.

The Towy has a thriving population of otters, as well as many commoner mammal species. Grey seals are common in the lower reaches and sometimes penetrate several miles upriver in pursuit of sea trout and salmon.

Downstream from Llyn Briane the Towy flows past Llandovery and Llandeilo in a broad river valley were it meanders and forms oxbow lakes. Perched high above the valley are Dinefwr Castle, Dryslwyn  Castle and Paxton’s Tower.

Further downstream again The Towy is joined by significant tributaries The Cothi River and the Afon Gwili, at Abergwili near Carmarthen. 

The river flows through Carmarthen into the Towy estuary past Llansteffan Castle and out to Pendine Sands.

For centuries Carmarthen was an important sea port, the largest in Wales.  The port was in its heyday in 1840, its decline was brought about continuing problems with the estuary sand bar and the growth and industrialisation of south Wales and its coal industry.

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