More needs to be done to improve flood management of the Clywedog reservoir near Llanidloes, according to land owners and politicians.
There have been longstanding concerns locally regarding the management of the reservoir, particularly during severe weather conditions – including during February 2022 – with a great deal of agricultural land and some properties downstream along the River Severn experiencing flooding.
Plaid Cymru politicians have pushed for clarity from the Welsh Government as concerns continue regarding the flood risk management of Clywedog reservoir.
Completed in 1967, Clywedog reservoir is owned and operated by Hafren Dyfrdwy, part of the Severn Trent PLC, with water levels controlled by the England-based Environment Agency, with oversight from Natural Resources Wales.
The Clywedog Dragon. Picture by Jonathan Rudd.
Cefin Campbell, Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales, and Cllr Elwyn Vaughan, Plaid Cymru group leader on Powys County Council, recently met with several landowners from the Llanidloes area to further discuss the management of water levels at the reservoir - with concerns regarding the recurring downstream flooding of agricultural land and premises.
Speaking during questions in the Senedd on May 18, Mr Campbell said: “I know that water is a very emotive issue in Wales, and that this reservoir was established to provide water and to mitigate flooding away from Wales, so I'm sure you understand local concerns – particularly as it is arguable that mismanagement across institutions has caused flooding on this side of the border."
Emergency services help Llandinam residents impacted by Storm Franklin floods in February 2022. Picture by Jess Needham.
In response, Minister for Climate Change Julie James MS said: “Severn Trent are looking at a joint scheme to look at the feasibility for the dam so that more water could be sent down the river Severn during dry periods—so the exact opposite of the flooding—to maintain water flow in the river, where a deficit is forecast.
"But that doesn't feature in the current draft water resource management plan, which is signed off by Welsh Ministers anyway. So, if that comes forward, it will certainly come to us to look at so that we can be satisfied that that is fit for purpose, both for the Severn catchment area and for the people locally.”
In March, Montgomeryshire MS Russell George called for action to prevent further flooding hitting Powys properties, pressing the First Minister to speed up work on flood schemes.
The Conservative member questioned Mark Drakeford, requesting more help for the areas of Powys affected by the floods that followed Storm Franklin in February.
Rivers reached record levels, with seven residents in Llandinam having to be evacuated from their homes after the Severn burst its banks.
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