Flashback Friday#10 -Elan Valley by ajisaac

Flashback Friday#10 -Elan Valley

The dams, reservoirs and 73 mile aqueduct of the Elan Valley were built a hundred years ago to supply desperately needed clean water to Birmingham. It was an epic feat of civil engineering set within an area of outstanding scenic beauty.

Today, the dams and reservoirs provide a lasting amenity in their own right for visitors to enjoy as well as safeguarding the natural habitats of numerous species of flora and fauna.

Craig Goch, (my view), is the highest upstream of the series of dams in the Elan Valley, it is often referred to as the 'top dam'. It is located at a height of 1040 feet (317m) above sea level. As with all the dams, work started with the arrival of the railway line at the site. In the case of the top dam the line had the farthest to go and a rocky outcrop had to be blasted and dug through on the route to the site. Work on excavating the foundations for a secure base for the structure started in July 1897, some three years after the start of work on the lowest dam at Caban Coch.

Craig Goch is seen by many as the most attractive of the dams, with an elegantly curved retaining wall and a series of arches carrying a narrow roadway across the top of the dam. It has a domed valve tower and the structure is typical of the 'Birmingham Baroque' style of much of the waterworks scheme.
Just fabulous! Fav!
May 13th, 2016  
Lovely shot. Brilliant POV too
May 13th, 2016  
Excellent shot, very clear. I went there years ago......in fact probably 50 years (eeekkkk)....it looked lovely then too.....
May 13th, 2016  
What an amazing scene! Really a wow! fav!
May 13th, 2016  
@busylady My thanks to you for your comment & the fav.
May 13th, 2016  
@cmp Your kind comments are much appreciated.
May 13th, 2016  
@cutekitty Many thanks for your comments & the fav. It was quite quiet when I was there. I think it is a bit more well known now, so it must have amazing back when you visited.
May 13th, 2016  
@pflaume Thank you so much for your lovely comments & fav. I agree it is an amazing scene especially when you drive around & see it for the first time. It was so peaceful when I was there, just the wind, wildlife & sound of the cascading water.
May 13th, 2016  
Fav u lous
May 13th, 2016  
@ceilidh Thank you so much for the fav u lous!
May 13th, 2016  
@ajisaac Yes...I remember it as very rural......I was about 16 at the time and went with my mum and dad just out for the day. My dad was a coach driver, and travelled all over the country, so he found out all these places....and then took me and mum to visit them.
May 13th, 2016  
beautiful!!! love all the colors!!!! fav.
May 14th, 2016  
beautiful capture! fav.
May 14th, 2016  
@jerome Many thanks for your comment & fav.
May 14th, 2016  
@shaunasauna7 Thank you so much for your kind comments & fav.
May 14th, 2016  
Love this shot An absolute fav
May 14th, 2016  
@777margo My kindest thanks for your comment & fav.
May 14th, 2016  
Fantastic shot - this is on my bucket list to visit! Fav
May 14th, 2016  
@lyndamcg Thanks very much-good choice to be on your bucket list. My thanks go for the fav too.
May 14th, 2016  
Bev
That is a fabulous image, love the colours and the texture of the water.
May 15th, 2016  
Wow this looks amazing! love the green!
May 15th, 2016  
Wow this is magnificent! FAV!
May 16th, 2016  
Love the comp and processing and interesting info about the subject, fav for me.
May 16th, 2016  
@tramway Thanks so much for your kind words. It is a fav of mine.
May 16th, 2016  
@nicoleterheide Thank you very much for your kind comments. Much appreciated.
May 16th, 2016  
@dishaparekh176 Thanks - glad you like so much. Thanks for faving too.
May 16th, 2016  
@tristansmum My thanks to you for your comments. I am pleased that you have enjoyed the background info. too & faving me.
May 16th, 2016  
omgosh, what a magnificent capture! Amazing colour & detail....I can almost hear the water pouring over the spillway.
May 17th, 2016  
@leggzy Much thanks for your kind comments. The dam is in the middle of nowhere and all you could hear was the wind, the wildlife & the water :)
May 17th, 2016  
Spectacular! What an amazing place.
May 21st, 2016  
@sketch2 Thanks so much. It is a amazing place to visit & the countryside around. Thanks for the fav too-much appreciated.
May 23rd, 2016  
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.