Afon Claerwen

Nearby Rivers:  Wye catchment - Rhayader to Hay

Map:	147 Elan Valley & Builth Wells
Grade:	III to IV; one fall V+; one class VI portage
Length:	4 km
Access:	Rhayader to Claerwen Dam roads
Notes:	one hard fall, plus one almost-certain portage
Quality:

In days gone by both the Claerwen and Elan rivers in their entirety would have undoubtedly been fantastic white water runs. If plastic boats and the 1990s urge had existed back in the old days then, no doubt, they would have been run. Both fall steeply with large catchment areas through a wild expanse of land. Being dam-released, the Claerwen often runs when other rivers are too low to paddle. It may well be worth the drive up if you have missed out on the rain - I’ve often found it up in the week after floods.

There are five great reservoirs within the Elan Valley system so, therefore, only small sections of river remain canoeable.

Claerwen reservoir to Rhiwnant bridge

4km grade III to IV; one fall V+ and one portage

The river is easily assessed on the drive up for its canoeable potential. It is wise to check out the two possible portages as well, and make a good mental note for, sadly, a fatality occurred on the top falls a few years back. Either put on from waste ground below the dam and bridge, GR871633, and paddle the first, mainly flat one and a half kilometres down to this horrendous fall GR884628, or put on below. The whole of the this fall has, apparently, been run but would need extremely high water to wash out the horrendous boulder chokes, sumps and siphons. Be warned.

The next kilometre is fairly easy with occasional class III rapids and falls. A footbridge appears perched across two huge boulders. Immediately below, running out of the pool, is a hard class V+ double drop which is quite frightening to run. Most will want to portage and continue the next kilometre of grade III to IV in one piece. There is a good wave under the egress bridge at Rhiwnant but, be careful with the stanchions and pipes GR901616.