Friends of Afon Llwyd (FOAL) Project
In March 2010 the Foundation started a 21 month EAW Wild Fishing Wales funded project on the Afon Llwyd. In partnership with Torfaen County Borough Council, Cwmbran Angling Association and Pontypool Angling Club we will improve salmon, sea trout and brown trout stocks in this lower Usk tributary that joins the main stem just upstream of Newport.
Once one of the most polluted rivers in the UK, Afon Llwyd was "cleaned up" in the '80s and though it receives the occasional mine water discharge, it is now able to support salmonids. Recently, Environment Agency Wales completed a fish pass to allow fish to ascend the first weir upstream of the tide at Pontymoel.
One of the first actions under the FOAL project was to lower a weir that blocks the path of migrating fish at Tynantddu, Pontypool. This will be followed by work to weirs further upstream at Cwmafon and Ty Michael. In addition, we will increase the actual spawning habitat of the river, little of which existed upstream of Pontypool. 'V' weirs will be constructed which trap gravel and create suitable spawning areas for salmonids.
The project will also involve litter removal, invasive weed eradication and other habitat improvements such as coppicing and erosion-preventing revetments. The EAW's Wild Fishing Wales program's objective is, as the name suggests, to increase fishing opportunities. Within FOAL, riverside paths will be made safe and assistance provided for partially disabled anglers. Ultimately, some the Llwyd's fishing will be included in the Foundation's Wye & Usk Passport.
Above: The weir at Cwmafon, removed (above right) in August 2010 and a revetment (below) built at Llanyrafon in October 2010 to repair erosion.
Progress:
2010
March: Meeting of partners. Consents applied for weir removal at Tynantddu.
April: First litter clearance.
April: Upper Catchment survey.
May: Weir removed at Tynantddu.
August: Weir at Cwmafon removed.
Spetember: Japanese Knotweed spraying.
October: Revetment to repair erosion at Llanyrafon.
October - December: Coppicing trees below Cwmbran.
