River Clydach, Monmouthshire

Not to be confused with either the Lower Clydach River or Upper Clydach River which are tributaries of the River Tawe north of Swansea nor with the River Clydach (Neath), which is a right bank tributary of the River Neath nor the Nant Clydach in Clydach Vale.

River Clydach

The River Clydach is a short, steep and fast-flowing river in Monmouthshire and the county borough of Blaenau Gwent in south Wales. It lies within the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is around 10 kilometres (6 mi) in length.

The river rises on the southern slopes of Mynydd Llangatwg (51°48′44″N 3°11′38″W / 51.8122°N 3.1939°W) then heads south-east through Clydach Dingle past Brynmawr. It then enters the spectacular Clydach Gorge, dropping about 300 metres (1,000 ft) to Gilwern and its confluence with the River Usk (51°49′58″N 3°06′03″W / 51.8329°N 3.1007°W).^[1]

"Clydach" is a common name for watercourses in south Wales and is thought to derive from an old Welsh word for "swift" or possibly "stoney", both of which would apply in this case.^[2]

References

1. Ordnance Survey Explorer map OL13, "Brecon Beacons National Park: eastern area".
2. Owen, H. W., & Morgan, R. (2007). Dictionary of the Place-names of Wales. Gomer Press, Ceredigion.

Coordinates: 51°48′22″N 3°08′15″W / 51.8060°N 3.1376°W