RIVER DESCRIPTIONS

Chris's book divides Wales into three sections: North, Mid and South Wales. In the web pages we have retained Chris's three areas as a basis for indexing by river grade and club listings. The areas are divided by three somewhat arbitrary, but hopefully user-friendly lines. North and Mid Wales are split by a line from Barmouth, via Dolgellau, through the Berwyn Mountains to Oswestry. Mid and South Wales are divided by a line from Aberarth to Llandovery and via Hay-on-Wye to Hereford.

For the detailed river descriptions we have bypassed the three sections and indexed directly, through an introductory map, to Chris's local groups of rivers, usually a main river and its tributaries or neighbours, or all the rivers close to a convenient centre. Each river is shown on sketch map.

Each river description starts off with six lines of information and a short introduction.

The descriptions are not an eddy by eddy, rock to rock analysis. They show access and egress, notable falls, potential hazards, portages and an overall indication of what the river is like. Chris only hints at the best way to run a rapid, and that must be subjective to some degree. The real fun is left for you to discover.

Various characteristics of the rivers in this guide are of fundamental importance to the paddler.

• Rivers high in the mountains are subject to flash floods which may alter the grade out of all proportion. The Clydach Brook, a hard and gnarly run at the best of times, can become a desperate prospect after heavy rain. It is the paddler’s responsibility to assess the water levels and, if necessary, portage, or choose another river.

• Waterfalls on many of the mountain streams could be disastrous to run by mistake.

• Many rivers pass through heavily-wooded areas where a tree or branch may block the canoeist’s path. It can be impossible to stop on some rapids if a tree blocks the way. This should be borne particularly in mind after heavy storms and in closed-in gorges.

• There are weirs or sluices on many Welsh rivers. Especially in high water, these may produce very dangerous stoppers and towbacks. Always, but always, be aware of the possibility of the "powers-that-be" deciding to build a new weir.

• Low pipes that cross river, and there are tunnels down which the river disappears. Tunnels are very exciting but there is no real way of knowing if they are clear - unless you paddle them!

• Welsh farmers hang many barbed wire fences across the rivers. These may change year by year as they rotate their stock around their fields. Stock fences often come in pairs (both ends of a field)

• Animals, too, can be a hazard. Six Charolais bulls with their bits and bobs swinging as they trundle down the middle of a river after you is enough to make even the weariest of paddlers liven up! Even rams can be a nuisance - see the section on the Afon Colwyn.

Chris's Star Rating

Each river is given a star rating. There are six ratings from the lowly ‘no stars’ up to the high-flying five stars . These are subjective, and they are not solely based on the white water quality. A grade one river can achieve a five star rating.

The star quality is given for the overall impression of the river and the type of paddling that it offers. For example, a grade I to II river through beautiful countryside, with abundant wildlife and crystal-clear waters, is the ideal touring section and will get a or rating. Likewise, a hair-raising experience of continuous big, bouncy rapids will also score high.

Grid References

Six-figure grid references are given for access, egress, and certain other points of importance. They indicate an area of land 100 metres square within which the location will be found. In the web pages these are "clickable" - clicking on them will bring up a small section of the OS map with the location ringed.

The Ordnance Survey (OS) Landranger map required for each section is indicated in the introduction.

Maps and Symbols

Hand-drawn maps are included for all rivers, apart from the lower sections of the Wye and Severn Bore. They are not drawn to exact scale. They are intended to give quick visual information to the paddler: firstly, to help locate the river and, secondly, when used in conjunction with the text, to give a simplified overview which includes access, egress and some major landmarks.

Where possible, I have marked major weirs and waterfalls. However, some rivers have so many that it is not practicable to try and show all of them.

Low pipes that need to be portaged are marked, but not all fences or fallen trees.

A large-scale map, preferably a 1:50 000 Ordnance Survey (OS) sheet will be useful to the canoeist not familiar with the area. The names of relevant OS maps have been given in the descriptions. The maps are listed in each river description, and are also listed in the contents.