Afon Carno

Access Officer: Dave Proctor, Capel Bethania, Cwm Cownwy, Llanwddyn, SY10 0NJ. 01691 870615

Nearby Rivers: Vyrnwy and Severn

Map:	136 Newtown & Llanidloes
Grade:	II
Length:	6 km
Access:	A470 Caersws to Dolgellau road
Notes:	one dangerous weir
Quality:

The Carno is quite an interesting spate river running, as it does, in a small gorge alongside part of the A470. Easy enough, it has one particularly vicious weir to keep the paddler awake on the journey down to Caersws.

Maespandy Bridge to Severn

6 km grade II; one weir (portage)

Just north of Clatter, on the A470, is a turn-off which crosses the railway line before reaching a small bridge across the river GR994958. There is a footpath along the right bank that gives acceptable access. Alternatively, but more tricky, is to start as I did about a kilometre upstream and via a short road, railway crossing and footpath GR985959.

The river needs to be in spate to paddle, though if over its banks will, undoubtedly, become unduly dangerous. Easy enough at first, there is a small weir with a surprisingly sticky little stopper immediately under the first railway bridge. Easy again, with attractive class II rapids running through ‘semi-gorges’, a footbridge and then a railway and road bridge are passed before you need to keep the eyes peeled for the approach towards a dangerous weir. This is about 100 metres after the small road bridge and just before the next railway bridge. You cannot see it from the road, but can pre-inspect the bend that it is on. It is a strange, boxed-in affair with ramps on either side. It is runnable in a medium spate but is not nice. In big water, the towback would, probably, become ‘terminal’ - I recommend a portage on the right. Below the next railway bridge is a further weir, but this is only six inches in height - a relief! By Pontdolgoch, things ease off, and occasional small rapids around carving bends take the paddler down to just above the Severn confluence. Egress can be made at the bridge GR026918.