The River Dee Facts

The River Dee is accepted as one of the most important Rivers in the United Kingdom with its Estuary being internationally renowned.

The source of the Dee lies within the Snowdonia National Park and the area contains an extremely varied landscape from the high Mountains around Bala, rugged peaks near Llangollen, deep sided wooded valleys, the plains of Cheshire and North Shropshire to the vast mudflats of the Estuary. The course and topography of the River Valley and the Tributaries were strongly influenced and modified by the glaciations which ended some 13,000 years ago.

The River Dee is one of the most regulated Rivers in the United Kingdom. The regulation of the flow of the River dates back to the early 19th. Centaury when Thomas Telford regulated the flow of the River in order to provide water for the Shropshire Union Canal.

Over the years in order to provide water for domestic and industrial purposes Reservoirs have been added to the water supply system of the River. The first was the Alwyn Reservoir in the 1920's. This was followed by LLyn Celyn and finally Llyn Brenig in 1979.

The full history of the River Dee Regulation Scheme and its operation can be seen on:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/wales/

The River is also International renowned for its fisheries. Although the Salmon Fishery has declined in recent years the Grayling fishing is highly regarded as is the Lower River Coarse Fishery which is now quickly recovering from a serious pollution incident. The River has staged a number of International Fly Fishing Competitions including two Commonwealth Championships and the Senior and Junior World Flyfishing Championships.

Besides being an important fishery and very beautiful River the Dee provides the daily drinking water for approx. 3,000,000 people and nearly 200 business, Industrial and Agricultural abstractors.

Designed by
M W Thrussell

The River Dee Trust is a Registered Charity No - 1095853
Registered office - Maes Mawr Farm, Tyn Dwr Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8AR
This web site is © The River Dee Trust 2008