Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Furnace Dam
Wye Valley, Monmouthshire, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Water Supply and Drainage
- Date of designation
- 29 September 2000
- Locality
- Old Furnace
- Town
- Chepstow
- Community
- Wye Valley
- Unitary authority
- Monmouthshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.69874, -2.70228
- Cadw reference
- 24055
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 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Situated on the south side of the Devauden road about 50m south west of Furnace Farm.
History
This dam was constructed to provide power for the Tilting Mill which was probably immediately below it. Little is known about this mill but the dam is probably at least C18 in origin.
Exterior
The dam is constructed of rubble sandstone walling with concrete abutment to far bank. The near end of dam has a low arch with elliptical head for the sluice. Two centre openings with rubble sides and varying sills to spillways. The fourth opening to far bank is now blocked with concrete and the rubble sides have collapsed downstream. The centre spillway has low parapets flanking the projecting ramp. The dam provides a 2-2.5m head of water in its current state. The dam is about 40m long and about 2.5m wide. Modern wooden bridge on top of dam.
Reason for designation
Included as a small mill dam dating possibly from the C18, and as a part of an important group of surviving relics of the metal industry in the Anghidy valley.
Nearby in the register
- Old Furnace Blast FurnaceBlast Furnaceunder 1 mi
- Furnace CottagesDomesticunder 1 mi
- Beaufort Pond DamWater Supply and Drainageunder 1 mi
- Tintern Upper Wireworks (New Tongs Mill)Leatunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.