WORK being carried out at a dam near Bala to improve its resilience for decades to come is “making our lives hell”, a resident has said.

Welsh Water, the not-for-profit water company, submitted a full planning application last autumn to Snowdonia National Park Authority for the works to be carried out at Llyn Celyn reservoir.

There is currently one spillway at Llyn Celyn located within the reservoir, which will remain.

Welsh Water is also to build an additional spillway near the crest of the dam, close to the main car park.

This is to be prepared for exceptionally high water levels, that are anticipated on average once in more than 10,000 years.

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Plans for work at Snowdonia lake to improve dam's resilience for the future

A resident, who asked not to be named, criticised the plans, calling it a “vanity project”.

They said: “We live opposite it, and it’s making our lives hell.

“They’ve written pages and pages of why it should be done, yet say it might only ever be needed once every 10,000 years.

“From what I can understand, what has upset a lot of people so much is the devastation of the valley. They’re taking about 7.5 acres of trees, hedges and countryside.

“This is a trough dam, not a straight dam, so it comes up very shallow on each side. The overflow on the far side has only ever been used once, and that was in a test situation.

“I call it a vanity project because Welsh Water is a not-for-profit organization, and I think their money should be spent elsewhere, doing more important things.”

In response, a spokesperson for Welsh Water said: “Welsh Water takes its responsibility for dam safety very seriously.

“As with all large reservoirs, Llyn Celyn is subject to a number of regular inspections.

“The 10-yearly statutory inspection by an independent engineer carried out in 2019 stated that Llyn Celyn is in good condition and identified the work needed to ensure that the dam continues to meet current guidelines in relation to extreme weather events.”

Welsh Water previously also arranged events for the community to see its detailed plans.

These were held at Ysgol Bro Tryweryn, followed by another at Canolfan Byw’n Iach Penllyn, both last November.

The work follows a 12-month restoration project on Capel Celyn Memorial Chapel by Welsh Water which was completed in 2021 to help preserve the Grade II* listed building.

The Welsh Water spokesperson said its planning application was submitted, and approved by Eryri National Park Authority earlier this year, following “extensive public consultation”.

Construction work on the dam is due to begin in the autumn.

The spokesperson added: “Our contractors are currently carrying out enabling work in the area to prepare for the main construction work.

“This includes closing the car park to create a safe working area for our contractors and to ensure public safety.

“The closure of the car park, which was included in the planning application and shared in our information events was also included in letters to nearby residents, as well as advertised wider on our social media channels prior to the closure.

“As part of our enabling work in the area, we are creating haulage roads from the foot of the dam up to the working area at the car park as well as carrying out vegetation maintenance and clearance work.

“This work is being carried out by specialist contractors with an expert ecologist and archaeologist on site daily assessing and monitoring the work.”

Upgrade and maintenance work is also needed on the pipes and valves within the main tower and the tunnel that connect to the powerhouse.

This work, some of which has already been carried out, does not require planning permission.

The Welsh Water spokesperson added: “As Llyn Celyn lies within Snowdonia National Park, the visual impact of the new spillway has been a priority for us along with collating feedback from the local community.

“The new spillway has been carefully designed to blend in with its natural surroundings and work with the land adjacent to the dam.

“As part of this work, we are also keen to carry out improvements for those who visit the dam.

“New picnic tables, bike racks and information boards explaining the history of the reservoir have been included as part of the planning application.”

Attempts were also made to contact Natural Resources Wales for further comment.