Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Carreg Ddu Viaduct and Submerged Dam
Rhayader, Powys, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Transport
- Date of designation
- 31 July 1995
- Locality
- Elan Valley
- Community
- Rhayader
- Unitary authority
- Powys
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.26293, -3.59798
- Cadw reference
- 16200
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1608 "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
About 7km SW of Rhayader centre. Carries road from Elan valley to Claerwen valley
History
Part of the Elan Valley reservoir scheme built by City of Birmingham 1893 to 1904. Engineer James
Mansergh. The scheme was amongst the greatest civic achievements of the late C19. The Corporation of
Birmingham employed direct labour for the scheme which involved the construction of 53 km of railway
to transport materials from the Wye Valley line at Rhayader, 4 dams, an aqueduct 126 km long, and a
village for construction workers. The height of the reservoirs enabled water to reach the outskirts of
Birmingham by gravity alone, without the expense of pumping. Provision was made for future expansion
in the Claerwen Valley where the scheme was brought to its current state by the Claerwen dam in 1952. The viaduct resting on top of the submerged dam is the key to the water supply scheme, allowing water to always be available at adjacent Foel Valve valve tower.
Exterior
Rock-faced brown stone viaduct resting on a submerged dam. Five narrow arches to NE; seven broader elliptical arches to centre.
Parapet; massive rock-hewn capstones to ends.
Stone plaque at SE end records :-
"This stone was laid by Alderman Charles Gabriel Beale, Lord Mayor of Birmingham, in the presence of
the members of the City Council, on the 19th day of June, 1900".
Reason for designation
Graded II* for its special historic and architectural interest as an integral part of one of the greatest engineering achievements of the C19 and for group value with other listed structures associated with the Elan Valley Reservoir scheme.
Nearby in the register
- Foel Valve TowerWater Supply and Drainageunder 1 mi
- Elan Valley PillboxesPillboxunder 1 mi
- Rhos y Gelynnen Ring CairnRing Cairnunder 1 mi
- Rhos y Gelynnen Stone RowStone Rowunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.