Official opening of the Llyn Tegid Reservoir Safety Improvements Scheme hosted by Natural Resources Wales
Wales’ largest natural lake, Llyn Tegid Reservoir, plays a vital role in regulating the River Dee, storing river water and allowing controlled release via the Bala sluice gates to manage flood risk and enable abstraction for water supply. It is also a highly scenic and popular tourist destination lying next to the town of Bala within Snowdonia National Park and is protected by national and international ecological designations, including two sites of special scientific interest (SSSI), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Ramsar site. A statutory inspection of the reservoir embankment in 2014 highlighted stability concerns during extreme weather events; a breach could have had catastrophic consequences.
Binnies has worked collaboratively with NRW on this project throughout its development, from optioneering and outline design through to detailed design, environmental impact assessment, achieving all required consents and supporting the construction process.
The design not only delivers the required improvement to long-term reservoir safety, but also provides economic, environmental and social benefits in alignment with the Welsh Government’s wellbeing goals. Extensive consultation and public participation helped to ensure local tourism interests, including the potential extension of the Bala Lake Railway, were understood and integrated.
Environmental work included adding protection to sensitive lake foreshore habitats and planting three trees for every one that had to be removed. Careful integration of landscaping, including enhancements to the public realm, accessibility and the creation of seating areas overlooking the stunning scenery were delivered using high quality local materials. The scheme provides a great asset for the town of Bala in terms of reservoir safety. It also leaves a legacy of multiple benefits for the community and resilience for supporting ecosystems.
The £7-million-pound scheme constructed by William Hughes has strengthened the lake’s embankments with more than 13,000 tonnes of rock protection. Over 5,000 new trees and shrubs have been planted – far more than were removed from the embankment – and five hectares of restored natural habitats were created, including brand new areas of wildflower meadow.