Llyn Clywedog Peninsula Storm Clear Up

Overview

Founded on the 1st of July 2018, Hafren Dyfrdwy is an operating subsidiary of the FTSE 100 company Severn Trent Plc and one of 11 regulated water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. Hafren Dyfrdwy’s purpose is to serve our communities and build a lasting water legacy. To us this can only be achieved through delivering an outstanding customer experience, providing a best value service and being at the forefront of environmental leadership.

Llyn Clywedog is one of Hafren Dyfrdwy’s visitor sites and largest reservoirs. It was built in the 1960s to regulate the flow of water to the River Severn during the winter months, and to ensure a minimum flow during the summer.

A successful bid for Welsh Government funding through The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) has created an opportunity to carry out storm clear up and PAWS restoration in a woodland immediately adjoining the reservoir in order to improve the structure of the woodland, enhance biodiversity and make the area safer for visitors.

The area was hit particularly badly by Storm Darragh at the end of 2024, the result was the loss of around 1.5ha of Sitka Spruce plantation. A portion of the grant funding has been allocated for the removal the windblown trees. The aim of this work is to regenerate the area into the native woodland habitat. The location of this timber extraction offers a unique challenge, as it’s located on a peninsula at the southern shore of the reservoir, which contains a pair of breeding Ospreys.

As a result, extraction will need to ensure sympathetic use of machinery and extraction routes, causing minimal disruption to the area, including protecting native standing trees, surrounding habitats, and the water quality of the reservoir. We have planned that due to the location, the processed timber will be left in an agreed area on the peninsula, however if it is possible to have it fully removed, then that would be preferable.

Methodology

Firstly, a pre-commencement meeting will take place with site managers to assess the site, ways of working and constraints.

The contractors Risk Assessment/ Method Statement documents will be agreed with site managers before work commences.

• Extraction route will be discussed between successful contractor, Hafren Dyfrdwy and neighbouring landowner. Damage done to neighbouring landowners' fields will be repaired at the end of work.
• Work will take place during the winter months, due to nesting osprey during the summer. To carry out this work, Hafren Dyfrdwy have received an osprey license through Natural Resources Wales. All recommendations and legal requirements must be adhered to during the work.
• Working may stop during periods of high rainfall and waterlogged soils.
• Harvesting technique and equipment will be selected carefully in order to protect native, standing trees and water quality.

Outputs/Deliverables

The following outputs will be required

• All fallen and windblown trees within work areas to be removed or made safe.
• Native trees to be left wherever possible.
• Damage along extraction route through fields to be repaired after work.

Contract Management

HD expect the delivery of this work to begin on the September 2026 and complete by end of March 2027. A final completion meeting will take place with the contractor in the final week of March 2027.