River Conwy

Conwy
Boats in the river estuary at Conwy
Map
Location
CountryWales
DistrictCounty Borough of Conwy
CityConwy
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationMigneint moor where a number of small streams flow into Llyn Conwy, Gwynedd
MouthConwy estuary
 • location
Irish Sea, Wales
Length55 km (34 mi)
Discharge 
 • locationCwm Llanerch
 • average18.59 m3/s (656 cu ft/s)[1]
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftMachno, Lledr, Llugwy, Crafnant

The River Conwy (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈkɔnʊɨ]; Welsh: Afon Conwy) is a river in north Wales. From its source to its discharge in Conwy Bay it is 55 kilometres (34 mi) long and drains an area of 678 square km.[2] "Conwy" was formerly anglicised as "Conway."

The name 'Conwy' derives from the old Welsh words cyn (chief) and gwy (water), the river being originally called the 'Cynwy'.[3][4][5][6]

It rises on the Migneint moor where a number of small streams flow into Llyn Conwy, then flows in a generally northern direction, being joined by the tributaries of the rivers Machno and Afon Lledr before reaching Betws-y-coed, where it is also joined by Llugwy. From Betws-y-coed the river continues to flow north through Llanrwst, Trefriw (where it is joined by the Afon Crafnant) and Dolgarrog (where it is joined by Afon Porth-llwyd and Afon Ddu) before reaching Conwy Bay at Conwy. A local quay, Cei Cae Gwyn, is located on its bank. During spring tides the river is tidal as far as Tan-lan, near Llanrwst.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Dixon, Prof Harry (18 March 2015). "National River Flow Archive". Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
  2. ^ "Conwy catchment data". UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  3. ^ Llandudno: its history and natural history, 1861, Richard Parry
  4. ^ A guide through North Wales, 1860, William Cathrall & Andrew Crombie Ramsay
  5. ^ Transactions, 1822, Cymmrodorion society
  6. ^ The pedestrian's guide through North Wales, 1838, George John Bennett