Heritage
Afon Dyfi Heritage
The heritage, including the Welsh language, of the Afon Dyfi has been expressed in the works of writers and poets such as the medieval scribe Dafydd ap Gwilym. .
He compares the river’s power to a horse’s shoulder and seeks the river’s help in returning to his cariad Morfudd in Y Don Ar Arfon Dyfi/The Wave on the River Dyfi.
He reflects on the river’s abundance describing it as “home to 300 nets”. In the 1600s the Dyfi is recorded for its excellent salmon and herring fishing and in the papers of the Thurston family, now in the National Library of Wales, as home to a fishery in Pennal. The Dyfi Catchment saw mining – lead, zinc and slate – as well as lime production over the centuries.
And Pennal, a village on the banks of the Dyfi, was home to Cefn Caer a Roman Legion auxiliary fort thought to have been established by British governor, Gnaeus Julius Agricola to control the Ordovicion tribe which rebelled in AD 77-78. The site provided good sea access to the Irish Sea via the Dyfi Estuary.
Biodiversity
Our members and supporting organisations frequently monitor of the river. The tree-lined banks of alder and sessile oaks support wildlife but also provide refuge for species in the river itself with sources of food and shade.
Species
A number of globally-important designated areas make up our landscape including an Area of Special Conservation, UNESCO biosphere, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and a nature reserve run by the RSPB.
Climate
Climate change is impacting not only our wildlife but also our communities. Increasing temperatures mean that the waters can heat up to the point that oxygen levels reduce or algae form so threatening species’ long-term survival.
BE A FRIEND
Why not join us on our journey? It is easy to be a Dyfi Friend by donating to our funds to enable development of key projects to support our incredible river network. A regular or one-time donation will help us carry out meaningful actions to protect our unique asset. You can have your name added to our list of donors or remain anonymous.