1959

SH6644 : Constructing the dam at Llyn Stwlan, 1959

taken 65 years ago, near to Tanygrisiau, Gwynedd, Wales

Constructing the dam at Llyn Stwlan, 1959
Constructing the dam at Llyn Stwlan, 1959
Looking down from Craigysgafn.

Llyn Stwlan is the upper reservoir of the Ffestiniog pumped storage power station. This Link is how it looks some 50 years on.
Llyn Stwlan

The top reservoir of Ffestiniog Pumped Storage Scheme, which is held in place by Stwlan Dam, a highly visible local landmark (when it's not foggy).

Ffestiniog Power Station :: SH6743

Ffestiniog Power Station, commissioned in 1963, was the first major pumped storage system in the UK and has a maximum output of 360 MW. The upper reservoir, Llyn Stwlan, is 300 m above the lower reservoir at Tanygrisiau. The capacity of the reservoirs is 2,000,000 cu m. The power station, at the lower reservoir, has four turbines which can each generate 90MW within 60 seconds of a demand, with a water flow of 29 cu m/s. In periods of low demand or excess generating capacity, the generators can operate as motors and drive pumps to return water to the upper reservoir. Each pump can deliver 22 cu m/s of water at 75 MW.
The building of the lower reservoir flooded the route of the Ffestiniog Railway which had been closed since 1946. However, the line was progressively reopened from Porthmadog from 1955. The railway was reopened to Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1982, which required a new tunnel and deviation around the reservoir and power station.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Alan Murray-Rust and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Energy infrastructure Uplands Rocks, Scree, Cliffs Place: Stwlan Dam other tags: Pumped Storage Power Station Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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SH6644, 75 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Alan Murray-Rust   (more nearby)
Date Taken
August 1959   (more nearby)
Submitted
Sunday, 29 March, 2020
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SH 666 445 [100m precision]
WGS84: 52:58.8827N 3:59.2781W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SH 660 443
View Direction
East-northeast (about 67 degrees)
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Image Type (about): geograph  · First in 5 Years (TPoint) (about)
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