GUIDE TO THE AFON TWRCH

(Talardd to Llanuwchllyn)

NAME OF RIVER: Afon Twrch.

WATER LEVEL, ACCESS AND HAZARD UPDATES:Here.

WHERE IS IT?:South End of Bala Lake. Map.

PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: We were turned away from the "official" and legal (I might add) put-in at Talardd.

Take out at Picnic site at Llanuwchllyn, a great spot to check the level.

APPROX LENGTH: 4 km.

TIME NEEDED: An hour.

ACCESS HASSLES: Not great. The legal put on will probably result in being turned away. I can't recommend groups bigger than 4. It is worth perservering though, for a lovely run can be had.

WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: Check out the rapid shown in picture http://www.2sa.org.uk/KayakPhotos/sm164.png - don't bother if it is lower than this.

GRADING: Mostly 3 with 2 significant drops at 4+, Harder at higher water.

MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS:

Watch out for trees, sheep, landowners. The two major rapids are worth inspecting. Can't remember but I think there may be a weir to watch out for in the upper reaches of this run.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: It's a ditch, a mighty fine ditch. The upper reaches are twisty and a little frustrating but eventually the volume builds so that just before the good bit there is plenty of water.

OTHER NOTES:http://www.2sa.org.uk/KayakPhotos/ - Pictures show the two significant rapids (at least 4+ in my opinion, if a benchmark 4 is Town Falls, although this depends if you include consequences of messing up as part of the grade....).

CONTRIBUTED BY: Roo Evans, paddled Jan 2006.