Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is encouraging people to attend an information event taking place later this month where they can find out more about Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water’s plans to restore Llyn Brân in Denbighshire to its original state,

As the artificially raised part of the reservoir is no longer needed as a water resource to supply drinking water, Dŵr Cymru is planning to remove the existing dam structure to allow the remaining natural lake to flow naturally as it would have done before the dam was built.

Work will start towards the end of May but prior to that the local community will have the opportunity to find out more about the project at an information event to be held on 26 April, 2022 at Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre.

Darren said:

“These are exciting plans and I very much welcome that Welsh Water is working closely with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and environmental specialists on the project to ensure the restoration of the lake also brings a boost to local habitats and wildlife.

“I know many local people will be keen to find out more and I therefore encourage them to attend the information event taking place on April 26th at Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre.”

Work to return the reservoir back to a natural lake will bring a number of habitat enhancements to the area, including the relocation of rare aquatic plants from Llyn Anafon. The work to the dam will also help to improve fish migration and preserve the habitat for water vole as well as significant shoreline restoration works.

Welsh Water’s Head of Dam Safety Andrew Bowen said:

“Llyn Brân had supplied fresh clean water to the North Wales Hospital in Denbigh for many years until it closed therefore it is no longer needed as part of our water resource plan. As a company committed to protecting the environment, the best solution is to restore it to its natural state before the dam was built in 1896.

“This restoration of Llyn Brân presents us with a significant opportunity to improve biodiversity in the area by reinstating the natural river corridor and relocating rare aquatic plants from Llyn Anafon.”

The work, which will begin in May 2022 is expected to take up to 6 months to complete and will be closely monitored by ecology experts.

Once complete, the reservoir banks will be reseeded and Llyn Brân will eventually become a Special Area of Conservation.