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River Teifi
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| River Teifi | |
|---|---|
 Llyn Teifi, the source of the Teifi | |
  Mouth of the Teifi shown within Wales | |
| Native name | Afon Teifi (Welsh) |
| Location | |
| Country | Wales |
| Counties | Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Llyn Teifi |
| • coordinates | 52°17′30″N 3°47′24″W / 52.2918°N 3.7900°W |
| • elevation | 455 m (1,493 ft) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Cardigan Bay |
• coordinates | 52°06′11″N 4°41′20″W / 52.103°N 4.689°W |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 122 km (76 mi)[1] |
| Basin size | 1,008 km2 (389 sq mi)[2] |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Glan Teifi[3] |
| • average | 29.1 m3/s (1,030 cu ft/s)[3] |
| • maximum | 373.6 m3/s (13,190 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Tyweli, Cych |
| • right | Dulas, Clettwr, Ceri |
The River Teifi, is a polluted river in Wales. It forms the boundary for most of its length between the Welsh counties of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, and for the final 3 miles (4.8 km) of its total length of 76 miles (122 km), the boundary between Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Its estuary is northwest of Cardigan, known in Welsh as Aberteifi, meaning 'mouth of the Teifi'.
Geography
[edit]The source of the River Teifi is the Llyn Teifi,[4] the second-largest of the five Teifi lakes (Welsh: Llynnoedd Teifi) after Llyn Egnant[5] located in Elenydd.[6][7] It is situated towards the north of the county of Ceredigion in Elenydd at 1,493 feet (455 m). The river flows past Strata Florida Abbey and then through Pontrhydfendigaid before turning broadly southwest. Here it passes through Cors Caron, an extensive peat morass also known as Cors Goch Glanteifi (translated from Welsh as red bog on the banks of the Teifi).[8] From here the river descends through pastures and bogs forming meanders on farmland below. Several small tributaries join from the valley with gorges, rocky and tree-lined sections also in the area.
Over the next 30 miles (48 km), the Teifi meanders southwest in a gentle arc passing through Tregaron, Llanddewi Brefi, Cwmann, Lampeter, Llanybydder, Llandysul, Newcastle Emlyn, and Cenarth. The river is tidal below Llechryd,[9] descending through the steep-sided Cilgerran Gorge to Cardigan. West of Cardigan and St Dogmaels, the river broadens into a wide estuary[10] with Poppit Sands on its west bank and Gwbert on its east bank as it enters Cardigan Bay.
On the lower parts of the river the wildlife at one time was reported as rich. There was a large variety ranging from water-crowfoot to Atlantic salmon as well as otters, wetland birds and multi fruited river moss. There have also been sightings of bottle-nosed dolphins where the river opens into the estuary.[1]
It is sometimes asserted that the Afon Tywi at 75 miles (121 km) and Afon Teifi at 76 miles (122 km) are the longest rivers wholly in Wales[11] though at about 78 miles (126 km), the River Usk exceeds both.[12]
The river is susceptible to flooding and there were some heavy floods in 2007 and 2008. If the swollen river is backed up by a high tide, flooding can occur in Cardigan[13] and as far up river as Llechryd.[14] A recent flooding was in December 2015.[15]
The principal tributaries of the Teifi (ordered from source to sea) are as follows: Afon Mwyro, Nant Glasffrwd, Afon Meurig, Afon Fflur, Camddwr Fach, Camddwr, Brennig, Nant Carfan, Afon Brefi, Nant Digonest, Nant Clywedog, Ffrwd Cynon, Nant Gou, Nant Dulas, Nant Hathren, Nant Eiddig, Nant y Gwragedd, Nant Dolgwm, Afon Granell, Afon Duar, Nant Hust, Nant Ceiliog, Nant Caradog, Nant Cwm-du, Nant Cledlyn, Nant Fylchog, Afon Clettwr, Nant Wern-macwydd, Gwenffrwd, Afon Cerdin, Afon Tyweli, Nant Merwydd, Hoffnant, Afon Gwr-fach, Afon Siedi, Camnant, Nant Bachnog, Nant Iago, Nant Bargod, Afon Cynllo, Afon Cwm-wern, Nant Halen, Afon Arad, Nant Sarah, Afon Ceri, Afon Nawmor, Afon Hirwaun, Afon Cych, Afon Eifed, Nant Arberth, Afon Morgenau, Afon Plysgog, Nant Rhyd-y-fuwch, Afon Piliau, Afon Mwldan, Nant Degwen, Nant-y-ferwig.
Geology and landscape
[edit]The Teifi and its tributaries are underlain by ancient Ordovician and Silurian mudstones[16] which have been extensively glaciated during the ice ages. The resultant landform is one of rolling hills and valleys that support sheep and dairy farming.[17]
The river enters a narrow gorge between Llechryd and Cilgerran, the sides of which are thickly wooded with a distinctive under-storey flora of wood rush.[citation needed]
SSSI
[edit]The Teifi has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since December 1997 in an attempt to protect the rare and unique features and species within it. This SSSI has been notified as being of both geological and biological importance. It is protected by law. The site has an area of 772.6 hectares and is managed by Natural Resources Wales.[16]
Key Information
Hydrology
[edit]
The catchment of the river is estimated to be 1,008 square kilometres (389 sq mi)[2] yielding an average flow at Glan Teifi, just upstream of Llechryd Bridge, of 29.126 m³/s.[3] The maximum recorded flow between 1959 and 2011 was 373.6 m³/s on 18 October 1987.[3] The average annual rainfall varies from 1,552 millimetres (61.1 in) in the upper catchment to 1,176 millimetres (46.3 in) in the lower catchment, which is higher than the average for United Kingdom at 1,101 millimetres (43.3 in).[18]
Culture and history
[edit]
The Teifi valley has been inhabited since pre-history. There are many remains of Iron Age and Stone Age man including cromlechs (burial chambers) and standing stones.
Gerald of Wales wrote that the River Teifi was the only river that beavers inhabited in Wales in his time and it exceeded all other rivers in the abundance and delicacy of its salmon.[6][7]
Between Cenarth and Cardigan, there is an ancient tradition of fishing and travel using coracles – very simple light-weight boats made of bent sticks covered with waterproofed hide or skins. These are paddled by a single oar used at the front of the craft which requires great skill. The principal use for coracles is for salmon fishing using nets. Today there are very few licences issued for coracle fishermen.[19]
The remains of a medieval abbey stand at Strata Florida with examples of encaustic tiles on the floors. The river flows near to the Lampeter campus of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, its predecessor, the University of Wales, Lampeter (est. 1822) having been the oldest university established in Wales. The river forms the southern boundary of the hamlet of Pen-y-wenallt.
In modern times, the source of the river, Llyn Teifi, is used as a reservoir for public water supply.[20] The River Teifi is the complete water source for the local area of Mid & South Ceredigion.[21]
Concern over the health of the river has been reported, which include the levels of phosphates, nitrates, and sewage pollution. Following an analysis of data collected by environmental agencies,[22] it has been stated the River Teifi has the most sewage discharges in Wales. A 2023 report of this analysis concluded the River Teifi was the ninth most polluted river in the UK.[23] Further concern was reported in March 2023 after 10 tonnes of debris and agricultural waste was pulled from a 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) stretch of the river in Llandysul.[24]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Afon Teifi/ River Teifi ACA" (in Welsh). Countryside Council for Wales. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
- ^ a b "First Water Resources Survey : Report", South West Wales River Authority, Published 1970, Page 41; Table 1
- ^ a b c d "62001-Teifi at Glanteifi". The National River Flow Archive. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
- ^ Leland, John (1906). Smith, Lucy Toulmin (ed.). The Itinerary in Wales of John Leland in or about the years 1536—1539. London: George Bell and Sons. p. 56 – via Google Books.
- ^ Cliffe, John Henry (1860). Notes and Recollections of an Angler: Rambles Among the Mountains, Valleys, and Solitudes of Wales. With Sketches of Some of the Lakes, Streams, Mountains, and Scenic Attractions in Both Divisions of the Principality. London: Hamilton, Adams and Co. p. 199 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Cambriensis, Geraldus (1863). Wright, Thomas (ed.). The Historical Works of Geraldus Cambrensis. London: H. G. Bohn, York Street, Covent Garden. p. 486 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Cambrensis, Geraldus (1868). "Descriptio Kambriæ". In Dimock, James F. (ed.). Geraldus Cambrensis Opera (in Latin). Vol. VI. London: Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer. p. 173 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Y Gors Goch". hanesybont. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Teifi". Fishing Passport.
- ^ "NLCA40 Teifi Valley" (PDF). Natural Resources Wales. 31 March 2014. p. 2.
- ^ Davies, John; Jenkins, Nigel; Baines, Menna; Lynch, Peredur I., eds. (2008). The Welsh Academy encyclopaedia of Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. pp. 894 & 855. ISBN 978-0-7083-1953-6.
- ^ "Usk Management Catchment Summary" (PDF). Natural Resources Wales. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ "30 homes flooded in Cardigan after "worst ever" flood". Carmarthen Journal. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ^ "Resident marooned in home after River Teifi bursts banks". BBC. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ^ "This is the scene in Pembrokeshire as further flood warnings issued across Wales". Wales Online. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Site of Special Scientific Interest Citation Afon Teifi" (PDF). Natural Resources Wales. Countryside Council for Wales.
- ^ Huxley, Anthony; Gresswell, R. Kay, eds. (1965). Standard Encyclopedia of the World's Rivers and Lakes. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 267 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Climate tables UK 1961-90". Met Office. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
- ^ Fowler, Martin. "The Case of the Coracle". BBC.
- ^ "Core Management Plan Including Conservation Objectives For Afon Teifi / River Teifi SAC (Special Area of Conservation)" (PDF). Llangoedmor Cyngor Cymdeithas / Community Council. p. 43.
- ^ "Dwr Cymru Water Resources Management Plan". dwrcymru.com. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "UK Government Environmental agency". Gov.uk. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ Owen, Cathy (19 February 2023). "Wales online sewage report". Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ Nobes, Felix (6 March 2023). "Local report". Cambrian News. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
River Teifi
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Physical Geography
Course and Length
The River Teifi originates at the Teifi Pools, a group of lakes on the eastern slopes of the Cambrian Mountains in Ceredigion, Wales.[9] It flows initially southwards through the town of Tregaron before turning southwest.[9] The river continues through Lampeter, Llandysul, Newcastle Emlyn, and Cenarth, forming the boundary between Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire for much of its course.[9] It reaches its mouth at Cardigan, where it discharges into Cardigan Bay.[10] The total length of the River Teifi measures 122 kilometres (76 miles), making it one of the longest rivers entirely within Wales.[9][1]Drainage Basin and Tributaries
The drainage basin of the River Teifi covers approximately 1,008 square kilometers in west Wales, primarily within Ceredigion but extending into adjacent areas of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.[11] The catchment originates at Llyn Teifi in the Cambrian Mountains, at an elevation of 455 meters above ordnance datum, and encompasses a mix of upland moorland, forested areas, and lowland agricultural landscapes that contribute to the river's flow regime.[12] This basin structure supports a diverse hydrological profile, with steep gradients in the upper reaches facilitating rapid runoff and flood potential during heavy rainfall.[13] The Teifi's tributaries play a critical role in augmenting discharge and maintaining ecological connectivity within the catchment. Principal left-bank tributaries include the Afon Cych and Afon Tyweli, while right-bank inputs feature the Afon Dulas, Afon Clettwr, and Afon Ceri.[14] Additional designated tributaries under Special Area of Conservation status, such as the Afon Groes, Afon Brefi, and Afon Cerdin, contribute to the basin's overall water volume and habitat diversity, with many supporting migratory fish species like lampreys due to less perturbed conditions compared to the main channel.[15] These streams drain varied sub-catchments, including peaty uplands and valley floors, influencing sediment transport and nutrient loading into the primary river.Geology and Geomorphology
Geological Formation
The River Teifi's valley is underlain by Lower Palaeozoic bedrock consisting primarily of Ordovician mudstones, siltstones, and subordinate sandstones, overlain in places by Silurian equivalents, forming part of the sedimentary sequences deformed during the Caledonian Orogeny around 400 million years ago.[16] These rocks, which include turbidite sequences and volcaniclastics, were uplifted and dissected during the late Tertiary (Miocene to Pliocene, approximately 23 to 2.6 million years ago), establishing the initial drainage patterns along structural weaknesses in the Cambrian Mountains' flanks.[17] The pre-glacial Teifi channel likely followed a meandering course across softer sediments, with early Quaternary fluvial incision (starting around 2.6 million years ago) deepening the valley prior to major ice ages.[18] Pleistocene glaciations profoundly modified the valley, with Irish Sea ice advancing into west Wales during the Devensian stage (approximately 115,000 to 11,700 years ago), eroding U-shaped profiles, depositing till sheets, and infilling depressions with diamicton, sands, and gravels from meltwater.[19] In the upper valley, glacial Llyn Teifi formed as an ice-dammed lake during deglaciation, accumulating varved silts and clays up to 30 meters thick before breaching and rerouting drainage; overflow channels at elevations from 200 to 130 meters indicate phased lake lowering.[20] Tributary valleys, such as those feeding the Teifi Pools (the river's source at around 455 meters elevation), preserve pre-glacial forms buried under glacial outwash, with the pools themselves as kettle lakes from retreating ice blocks around 14,000 years ago.[21] Post-glacial Holocene development (last 11,700 years) involved fluvial downcutting through glacigenic sediments, creating elevated terraces and abandoning pre-glacial meanders in the lower valley, where gorges like Cenarth Falls incised bedrock shortcuts.[18] Alluvial fills of stratified gravel, sand, silt, and clay—known as the Teifi Valley Formation—accumulated in the floodplain, reflecting ongoing adjustment to sea-level stabilization and reduced sediment supply after 10,000 years ago.[22] This incision exposed resistant bedrock outcrops, contributing to the river's current 117-kilometer length and variable gradient from highland peat bogs to coastal plain.[17]Landscape Features and Gorges
The River Teifi's valley exhibits a range of geomorphological features, including broad U-shaped profiles in the upper reaches attributable to glacial shaping and narrower, incised sections downstream with steep, wooded sides.[3] These transitions reflect the river's progression from peat-rich moorlands through confined floodplains with meanders to more rugged terrain.[23] Gorges form a prominent and persistent landscape element, particularly along the middle and lower course, where nine major examples occur: Allt-y-Cafan, Llandysul, Craig Gwrtheyrn, Llanllwni, Henllan, Newcastle Emlyn, Cenarth, Cilgerran, and Cardigan.[23] [3] These narrow, rock-lined incisions, often developed via subglacial meltwater erosion during Pleistocene deglaciation, include sites such as Llanllwni and Llandysul, which constrict the river channel amid resistant bedrock exposures.[3] The Cenarth Gorge, situated in Carmarthenshire between grid references SN 269 416 and SN 276 418, extends 800 meters in length with a maximum depth approaching 50 meters, rim widths of about 120 meters, and river widths varying from 25 meters upstream to 80 meters downstream.[23] It features tree-lined banks, stable margins, a series of waterfalls, and adjacent abandoned meanders, with the underlying rock floor reaching -10 meters Ordnance Datum in nearby northern loops.[23] Downstream, rapids and pools at Cenarth Falls enhance the gorge's hydrological dynamism, supporting salmon migration.[3] Further downstream, the Cilgerran Gorge stands out as a steep-sided, thickly wooded feature extending into the tidal zone, where the river narrows dramatically before widening into the estuary; its under-storey includes distinctive wood rush flora amid dense vegetation.[3] These gorges collectively contribute to the valley's intimate scale and visual drama, contrasting with broader meandering sections and influencing local erosion patterns and sediment transport.[23]Hydrology
Flow Regime and Discharge
The River Teifi exhibits a spatey flow regime, marked by rapid fluctuations in discharge driven by intense, frontal rainfall typical of west Wales' upland catchments, with quick runoff facilitated by steep gradients and areas of impermeable geology. This results in short-duration spates and a high degree of flow variability, though the overall regime remains largely natural, with minor modifications from upstream public water supply reservoirs and abstraction influences. Records from the Glanteifi gauging station (NRFA 62001), operational since June 1959 and covering 893.6 km² of catchment, indicate sensible naturalization after accounting for these factors.[15][24] Mean annual discharge at Glanteifi is 28.2 cubic metres per second (m³/s), reflecting the river's moderate yield from its rainfall-dominated basin, where annual precipitation exceeds 1,500 mm in upper reaches. Low-flow conditions, quantified as the 95th percentile flow (Q95), average 3.04 m³/s, supporting baseflows during drier periods, while the 10th percentile flow (Q10) of 63.1 m³/s captures frequent higher stages from autumn and winter storms. These statistics derive from long-term gauged data, highlighting the river's sensitivity to seasonal precipitation patterns, with elevated flows predominantly in October through March due to Atlantic weather systems.[25] The regime's flashiness contributes to flood risk, with peak discharges capable of exceeding channel capacity during extreme events; for instance, floodplain inundation occurs above approximately 3.7 m stage at Glanteifi, as observed in major floods like those in October 1987 and 2018. Daily discharge series from 1960 onward show increasing annual average flows in recent decades, consistent with trends in regional hydroclimate data, though attribution requires caution pending further analysis of confounding factors such as land use. Favourable flow management targets naturalised conditions to sustain ecological functions, emphasizing variability over absolute volumes.[24]Water Quality Parameters
The River Teifi's water quality is assessed through chemical, physical, and biological parameters, primarily by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) under Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Water Framework Directive (WFD) frameworks. Key chemical parameters include dissolved oxygen (DO), which supports aquatic life and typically ranges from 8.99 to 11.04 mg/L seasonally, with 14 of 18 SAC water bodies passing targets in 2024 assessments despite two failures in tributaries like the Grannell. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), a measure of organic pollution, improved markedly, achieving compliance across all assessed SAC water bodies in 2024 after prior failures in six. pH levels, indicating acidity, averaged 8.24 in summer monitoring and met standards universally, with 16 of 18 SAC water bodies passing in 2024 and no failures recorded.[26][9][27] Nutrient parameters, particularly orthophosphate, reflect agricultural runoff influences, with seasonal averages peaking at 62.8 µg/L in summer versus 30.59 µg/L in autumn; SAC compliance rose from 8 of 18 water bodies in 2021 to 12 of 18 in 2024, though mid- and lower-catchment failures persist due to phosphorus inputs from farming and wastewater. Ammonia parameters, including total and unionised forms, show full compliance across 16 assessed SAC water bodies, with 90th percentile total ammonia below 63 µg/L in sampled sections. The upper catchment exhibits vulnerability to acidification from poor soil buffering, yet acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) passed in all nine assessed SAC water bodies in 2024.[26][9][28] Biological indicators like the Trophic Diatom Index (TDI), which gauges nutrient-driven algal growth, have declined overall, with failures in two assessed SAC water bodies indicating localized eutrophication risks. Physical parameters such as temperature vary from 6.49°C in winter to 15.09°C in summer, influencing DO solubility, while electrical conductivity averages 106-167 µS/cm seasonally, correlating with runoff dilution. These parameters collectively show incremental improvements in organic and nutrient metrics since 2021, attributed to targeted monitoring, though persistent non-compliance in phosphorus and metals underscores ongoing pressures from land use.[27][26][9]Ecology and Biodiversity
Native Flora and Fauna
The River Teifi, designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), hosts diverse native aquatic and riparian species, with particular emphasis on migratory fish populations and rare submerged plants adapted to its spatey flow regime.[15] The catchment's ecology supports healthy assemblages of lampreys, salmonids, and otters, though historical abundances of species like Atlantic salmon have declined due to factors including pollution and barriers.[10] In-stream habitats feature vegetation dominated by Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. penicillatus (stream water-crowfoot) and Callitriche species (water-starworts), which stabilize substrates and provide cover for invertebrates and fish.[15] Native fish fauna includes migratory species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis), and brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri), alongside resident populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta), European eel (Anguilla anguilla), minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus), three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and bullhead (Cottus gobio).[15] [29] These species thrive in the river's gravelly spawning grounds and riffle-pool sequences, with bullhead and lampreys indicating good water quality in undisturbed reaches.[15] European otter (Lutra lutra) is a key mammal, utilizing the river for foraging on fish and crayfish, with regular sightings in wetlands like Teifi Marshes.[15] [30] Birds associated with the Teifi include kingfishers (Alcedo atthis) and various wading species, which exploit the river's insect-rich margins and floodplains.[30] Invertebrates are abundant, with Teifi Marshes supporting 17 dragonfly and damselfly species, reflecting the habitat's productivity for odonates.[31] Water shrew (Neomys fodiens) occurs numerously in riparian zones.[32] Aquatic flora features the SAC-listed floating water-plantain (Luronium natans), a perennial herb with floating rosettes that anchors in shallow, nutrient-poor waters.[15] Riparian vegetation consists of native broadleaf woodland, including alder (Alnus glutinosa) and willow (Salix spp.), which moderates water temperature, reduces erosion, and filters nutrients—essential for maintaining ecological integrity amid agricultural pressures.[33] These plant communities contrast with invasive species like Himalayan balsam, which displace natives but are targeted for control to preserve habitat structure.[34]Protected Designations and Status
The River Teifi, known as Afon Teifi in Welsh, is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, with site code UK0012670, encompassing the main river channel and its major tributaries over approximately 122 km.[15] This designation recognizes its high conservation value, including Annex I habitat types such as water courses of plain to montane levels featuring Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation communities, characterized by diverse water-crowfoot species in low-gradient sections.[15] It also supports Annex II species, notably healthy populations of river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis), alongside sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri), and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra).[15][10] The SAC forms part of the Natura 2000 network, with management objectives focused on maintaining or restoring features to favourable conservation status through control of pressures like nutrient enrichment and habitat modification.[35] The entire catchment, including the estuary, is concurrently designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), notified in December 1997 to protect its unique floral, faunal, and geomorphological features.[35] The SSSI citation highlights the river's unmodified physical character, exceptional aquatic plant assemblages, and breeding habitats for migratory fish, aligning closely with SAC qualifying interests.[35] Condition assessments, informed by river habitat surveys and species monitoring, indicate that while some attributes like lamprey populations remain viable, overall SSSI and SAC features are unfavourable due to persistent declines in ecological quality from phosphorus pollution and flow alterations.[36][37] Restoration efforts, including the Teifi Demonstrator Project initiated in 2023, target improved water quality and habitat integrity to achieve favourable status.[38]Environmental Issues
Primary Pollution Sources
The primary pollution sources affecting the River Teifi include untreated sewage discharges from wastewater treatment works and combined sewer overflows, nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff, and heavy metal contamination from legacy mining activities.[39][6][40] Sewage pollution arises predominantly from point-source discharges by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, with the River Teifi experiencing 2,232 sewage spills in 2024 totaling over 22,000 hours of untreated effluent release, ranking it the fifth most sewage-impacted river in the United Kingdom.[6][41] These events, often triggered by stormwater overflows during heavy rainfall, contribute significantly to elevated phosphate levels, with wastewater treatment works identified as a major driver of the river's failure to meet phosphate compliance targets under the Water Framework Directive.[39][42] Agricultural activities, which dominate land use in the catchment, generate diffuse pollution through slurry application, livestock waste, and fertilizer runoff, leading to nutrient overloads of phosphorus and nitrogen that promote eutrophication and algal blooms.[33][43] Approximately 66% of phosphate pollution in the Teifi is attributed to such non-point sources, exacerbating organic pollution indicators and hindering ecological status improvements.[44] Legacy pollution from abandoned metal mines, operational since the 12th century, releases dissolved metals including zinc (up to 1,200 kg annually from sites like Abbey Consols), lead, and copper, forming a persistent 15 km plume downstream and causing chronic Water Framework Directive failures due to elevated metal concentrations toxic to aquatic life.[40][45][33] Natural Resources Wales estimates remediation costs for Welsh mine pollution, including Teifi impacts, at up to £282 million, reflecting the scale of adit discharges and acid mine drainage.[40]Major Pollution Incidents and Impacts
On 17 December 2016, approximately 44,000 gallons of pollutant leaked from an anaerobic digestion plant at Pencefn Dryscol near Tregaron into the River Teifi, resulting in the death of an estimated 18,000 fish, including salmon and sea trout, over a five-mile stretch.[46][47] This incident, described by Natural Resources Wales as catastrophic, eliminated all salmon and sea trout populations in a two-mile section and was characterized as the worst pollution event on the river since the 1980s.[48][49] The spill led to prosecutions against the plant operators and compensation claims from affected fisheries, highlighting vulnerabilities in waste management infrastructure near Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) designated for their salmonid habitats.[50] In June 2023, a slurry store collapse at a farm released nearly 70,000 gallons of slurry into the Afon Clettwr Fach, a tributary of the River Teifi, causing at least six documented fish deaths and likely underestimating the total due to dispersed impacts downstream.[51] The farmers involved faced prosecution by Natural Resources Wales for permit violations, underscoring ongoing risks from agricultural runoff in the catchment.[51] Chronic sewage discharges have compounded acute incidents, with the River Teifi recording 2,232 untreated sewage spills in 2024 totaling over 22,000 hours, ranking it the fifth most sewage-polluted river in the UK.[6] Welsh Water admitted to illegal raw sewage releases into the river for over a decade, particularly near the estuary's bottlenose dolphin habitat in Cardigan Bay, contributing to degraded water quality, reduced invertebrate populations, and threats to otters and migratory fish.[52] These events have diminished the river's renowned sea trout and salmon fisheries, prompting demands for enhanced monitoring and enforcement amid historical under-prosecution of incidents.[53]Conservation Efforts and Outcomes
The Four Rivers for LIFE project, funded by €9 million from the EU LIFE programme and launched in 2020, targets habitat restoration across the Afon Teifi and three other Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) rivers in Wales. Specific interventions on the Teifi include removing barriers to fish passage at 12 sites, re-naturalising 5 km of channel with boulders, woody debris, and gravel to reconnect 136 hectares of floodplain, planting approximately 37,000 native trees along riverbanks, and installing 40 km of fencing to exclude livestock and create riparian buffers. Additional measures encompass controlling invasive Himalayan balsam across 15 sub-catchments via manual removal and biocontrol trials with rust fungus at eight sites, alongside habitat enhancements over 15 km for the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera). These actions engage over 350 farms to mitigate nutrient and sediment inputs, aiming to bolster populations of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), and brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri).[54][55] The Teifi Demonstrator Project, initiated in 2023 as a multi-stakeholder partnership involving Natural Resources Wales, landowners, industries, and regulators, focuses on integrated water quality management across the catchment's diverse landscape, where agriculture and forestry predominate. Efforts emphasize reducing toxic metal pollution from historic mines in the upper reaches, nutrient enrichment from wastewater and diffuse agricultural sources in the mid-to-lower sections, and monitoring via citizen science and local authorities like Ceredigion County Council. The Afon Teifi SAC management plan, revised in September 2022, sets objectives to maintain or restore the river to favourable conservation status, prioritizing unmodified habitats and supporting qualifying species through regulatory compliance and targeted interventions.[38][56][57] Outcomes remain mixed, with modest gains amid persistent challenges. An evidence review of the Demonstrator Project in March 2025 reported overall good ecological status rising from 37% (16 of 43 water bodies) in 2021 to 42% (18 of 43) in 2024, driven by phosphorus failures declining from 10 to 7 water bodies and SAC compliance for phosphorus improving to 67% (12 of 18 segments). Biochemical oxygen demand failures resolved in the lower catchment, and orthophosphate levels at monitoring sites like Llechryd Bridge showed slight long-term declines since 1974 with reduced variability. However, poor ecological status edged up to 16% (7 water bodies), toxic metals (zinc, cadmium, lead) continued failing three upper-catchment bodies due to mining legacies, and fish communities remained the primary failing biological element, with severity worsening in two segments. Trophic diatom indices deteriorated, and the Teifi Estuary failed for dissolved inorganic nitrogen. Habitat works under Four Rivers for LIFE have enhanced connectivity and riparian cover, but broader water quality targets for SAC and Water Framework Directive standards are unmet in key areas, underscoring the need for sustained mine remediation and pollution controls.[33][27]Human Uses and History
Historical Utilization and Settlement
The Teifi Valley exhibits a historic settlement pattern characterized by linear development along the river's course, with principal towns including Tregaron near the source, Lampeter, Llanybydder, Llandysul, Newcastle Emlyn, and Cardigan at the estuary, many originating as bridging or defensive sites during the medieval period.[3] Anglo-Norman incursions from 1093 onward established castles such as Cardigan Castle, facilitating control over the valley and influencing subsequent dispersed farmsteads and nucleated settlements tied to ecclesiastical sites like Llandysul's church on the riverbank.[58] [59] Flood-prone floodplains restricted dense settlement in lower reaches, promoting upland farm dispersal while the river served as a county boundary between Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, shaping territorial divisions from at least the 13th century.[60] [61] Human utilization of the River Teifi historically centered on its hydropower for milling, with corn mills documented from the 13th century at Cenarth—where ownership transferred to Edward I—and woollen fulling mills proliferating during the Industrial Revolution, transforming the valley into a hub employing thousands in spinning, weaving, and dyeing along tributaries.[62] [3] [63] Dozens of water-powered woollen mills harnessed the river's flow, with Rock Mill in Llandysul remaining the last operational example using a water wheel as of the 21st century, underscoring the shift from agrarian to proto-industrial activity sustained by local fleece processing.[63] Fishing, particularly for salmon and sea trout, represented a longstanding economic mainstay, with the river renowned in the 1800s for abundant runs supporting coracle-based methods traceable to pre-Roman eras for harvesting and local transport of catch, grain, and reeds.[64] [65] Coracles persisted as primary vessels between Cenarth and Cardigan into modern times, enabling net fishing and ferrying while the navigable estuary facilitated pilot-guided trade and shipbuilding using valley timber up to Cilgerran quarries.[3] [66] Limited upstream navigation due to falls and weirs confined broader transport to roads paralleling the valley sides, though the estuary supported coastal commerce until silting and railway development in the 19th century diminished riverine roles.[3][float-right]Cultural and Mythological Significance
The River Teifi holds a place in Welsh folklore through the legend of the last dragon of Wales, associated with Newcastle Emlyn Castle on its banks. In the tale, recounted in local histories, a dragon alighted on the castle during a town fair, settled to sleep on the walls, and was lured into an ambush by a soldier who floated a red cloak or shawl in the river below; the beast swooped to attack it, allowing the soldier to spear it fatally, with its blood purportedly turning the Teifi red as its body drifted downstream.[68][69][70] At the river's estuary near St Dogmaels, another folktale centers on the mermaid encountered by fisherman Peregrine in the 18th century. According to the account preserved in parish records and local tradition, Peregrine caught the creature in his nets off Cemaes Head but released her upon her pleas; in gratitude, she later whispered a warning from the waves to avert a storm that would have capsized his boat, saving his life.[71][72][73] A wooden statue of the mermaid overlooks the Teifi estuary, commemorating the story and symbolizing maritime folklore in the region.[72] Culturally, the Teifi is emblematic of traditional Welsh coracle use, with small, keeled boats crafted from willow laths, hazel weave, and historically animal-hide or tarred fabric coverings employed for salmon and sewin (sea trout) netting since prehistoric times, as evidenced by Stone Age artifacts.[74] Teifi coracles, operated in pairs to drift nets with the current, persist as a regulated practice under licenses limiting annual salmon catches to 50 fish per fisherman as of 2023, preserving this heritage amid declining migratory fish stocks.[75][76] This tradition underscores the river's role in sustaining local communities through sustainable, low-impact fishing techniques rooted in Brythonic-era adaptations to shallow, turbulent waters.[77]Economic and Recreational Aspects
Fisheries and Angling
The River Teifi sustains fisheries targeting migratory salmon (Salmo salar) and sea trout (Salmo trutta, locally termed sewin), alongside resident brown trout and grayling (Thymallus thymallus).[78][4] These species support both net-based commercial operations, including one of the United Kingdom's few persisting coracle fisheries using traditional V-shaped boats for draft net capture in estuarine and lower river sections, and extensive recreational angling.[4][79] Angling occurs primarily via fly fishing and spinning across approximately 30 miles of accessible beats managed by associations such as the Llandysul Angling Association and Teifi Trout Association, with permits available for day, weekly, or seasonal use.[80][78] Brown trout seasons run from late March to September or October, emphasizing lower reaches for fly fishing, while salmon and sea trout pursuits span February to October, with peak sea trout activity in July for novices and autumn salmon runs.[81][82] Professional guiding services provide tuition and night fishing for sea trout, alongside catch-and-release policies for brown trout to preserve wild stocks.[83] Fish populations have undergone substantial declines, attributed to net exploitation, habitat degradation, and environmental pressures, rendering salmon stocks at "crisis point" as of 2017 with rod catches falling from 300 in 2014 to just over 200 in 2015.[84] Sea trout numbers have similarly plummeted, with net fisheries declaring catches such as 419 individuals in a recent season, exacerbating spawning deficits despite low rod exploitation rates.[85][79] Natural Resources Wales oversees management through the Afon Teifi Special Area of Conservation plan, promoting habitat enhancements, while voluntary efforts by the Teifi Trout Association include mandatory catch returns, bag limits, voluntary catch-and-release for salmon above 60 cm, and releases of 242,000 juvenile salmon parr and smolts into tributaries.[56][86] Despite these measures, modeling forecasts potential local extinction of salmonids without intensified interventions like phasing out estuarine nets.[38][85]Tourism, Navigation, and Development
The River Teifi supports tourism via scenic trails and wildlife viewing in its valley and marshes. The Teifi Valley Trail extends 83 miles (134 km) through landscapes, historic abbeys, castles, rich wildlife, and market towns like Newcastle Emlyn.[87] The Welsh Wildlife Centre at Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve provides access to sightings of kingfishers, otters, and wading birds, drawing visitors for educational and observational activities.[30] Estuary walks, such as the 6-mile (10 km) route from Cilgerran Castle to Cardigan Bay, incorporate castles, an abbey, diverse wildlife, and beaches, promoting low-impact exploration.[88] Navigation on the Teifi centers on its estuary, accessible to small vessels. The estuary accommodates boats with drafts up to 1.8 meters (5 feet) depending on tidal conditions, with Cemaes Head and Cardigan Island serving as key navigational markers.[89] [90] Afon Teifi Fairways Limited maintains the channel, advising mariners to contact the navigational officer due to frequent siltation changes; it includes moorings, slipways, and boating activity.[91] Recreational paddling routes traverse the tidal estuary, requiring tide checks to avoid mudflats and navigate around boats and moorings. Development emphasizes environmental restoration over large-scale infrastructure, prioritizing water quality for sustained recreational use. The Teifi Demonstrator Project, a multi-sector partnership, targets phosphate reduction via farm improvements and habitat works to enhance the Special Area of Conservation status.[93] [94] A April 2025 protection plan outlines priorities like improving river access, restoring water quality, and safeguarding habitats to bolster tourism without compromising ecology.[95] Commercial navigation remains limited by siltation, with focus on maintaining fairways for leisure rather than port expansion.[89]References
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- https://www.alltrails.com/trail/wales/[ceredigion](/page/Ceredigion)/teifi-river-and-estuary-paddle-route