Llyn Celyn

Llyn Celyn is a man-made reservoir in north Wales formed by damming the Tryweryn valley in the 1960s. Its creation is historically significant for the controversial flooding of the Welsh-speaking village of Capel Celyn.

Visitors can view the reservoir from public vantage points beside the dam and along surrounding minor roads; the site is used for water regulation and limited recreation. The landscape is open moorland and upland valley typical of the area.

The valley was flooded in the 1960s to create the reservoir, permanently submerging the village of Capel Celyn, an event that prompted sustained political debate in Wales and remains an important element of modern Welsh history.

Llyn Celyn lies in the Tryweryn valley in north Wales and is within the administrative area of Wales. The reservoir is set in a rural upland landscape and is reached by local roads.

• Historic controversy: The reservoir's creation by flooding the village of Capel Celyn in the 1960s became a focal point for Welsh political activism and cultural debate.
• Use and viewpoints: Used for regional water supply and river flow regulation; the roadside viewpoints near the dam are the primary public viewing points.

What to See #

• Dam and spillway: The concrete dam and spillway that impounded the Tryweryn valley to create the reservoir and control water flow for downstream supply.
• Site of Capel Celyn: The drowned village site of Capel Celyn which was flooded to form the reservoir and remains a focal point in commemorations and local history.