Llyn Tegid, Gwynedd

Making sure Llyn Tegid remains safe in the long-term

Llyn Tegid Reservoir Safety Works - Footpath Closures 

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is undertaking major works throughout 2022 to make sure Wales’ largest natural lake, Llyn Tegid in Bala, remains safe in the long-term.

Although Llyn Tegid is a natural lake, it also needs to be managed under reservoir legislation as the lake’s embankments give protection from flooding to the town of Bala. This was seen most recently following heavy rain in November 2020 (see photos from this event and how Bala used to be affected before the 1950’s defences were constructed).

The lake also plays a vital role in regulating flows and managing floods in the Dee Valley.

During an inspection by the All-Reservoirs Panel Engineer (ARPE), some issues were raised about the embankments’ ability to withstand extreme events in the long-term, although there are no immediate concerns.

The works are underway and involve the strengthening of embankments and replacing the entire length of lakeshore rock protection. This is part of our work to regulate Llyn Tegid under the Reservoirs Act 1975 and is part of a wider ongoing programme of reservoir safety work across Wales.

Planning permission was granted by Snowdonia National Park Authority for the project on 19th May 2021 and works started on site on 15th November 2021.

Since 2017, valuable discussions have been carried out with local people explored ideas for wider community opportunities as part of the scheme. These will also be developed alongside the lake safety works, and include:

• Improving footpaths for all abilities;
• Creating new seating areas;
• Restoring habitats including improvements to the lakeside car park;
• Creating wildflower meadows;
• Producing resources for local schools to use for environmental education.

We regret that the works involve the removal of self-seeded trees - mainly ash - which are growing in and weakening the lakeshore embankments. The removal of these trees is unavoidable so that we can strengthen the embankments. But we are fully committed to retaining mature trees wherever possible and will be planting three times more trees locally than we have to remove.

Footpath closures will be in necessary throughout 2022 and we will continue to work closely with the community to find ways to keep disruption to a minimum.

Construction has started in Autumn 2021 and will last until Spring 2023.

If you have any questions, please direct these to llyntegid@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk or contact Andrew Basford, Project Manager (Welsh Learner) on Tel: 03000 653846 or Sharon Parry, Project Support Officer Welsh Speaker) on Tel: 03000 655264.

You can find out more about this work by reading our answers to frequently asked questions ​