Urgent work to reduce flood risk

Urgent work is being carried out to remove gravel which is blocking the flow of water in a Gwynedd river.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is removing 60,000 tonnes of gravel from the River Dysynni as it enters the Dysynni Estuary, in order to protect 26 properties in Tywyn from potential flooding.

The blockage has reduced the flow of water causing a rise in the river’s level which has resulted in a back-up of water at the Dysynni’s confluence with the Afon Fathew, reaching as far as Bryncrug and potential weakening of the flood bank.

Gwyn Fon Thomas, Operations Engineer for NRW said: 

“We last cleared the Dysynni in 2012 but a combination of natural causes – climate change, winter storms and high tides over the last three years - have caused the river to block again.

“If this work was not carried out the back-up of water could result in overtopping of the flood defence and put people and property at risk. 

“The work is not straightforward as the area is important for wildlife, especially wildfowl, and we are taking extra care to reduce any disturbance to nesting birds to a minimum.”

The gravel will be deposited on the north bank of the river and the work is due to be completed in the next five days.