|
|
|
History and
Llangorse Lake:
Prehistoric man may have been
attracted to Llangorse Lake initially because of the opportunity it offered for food
and water where there was a natural opening in a landscape that otherwise at that time
would have been densely wooded. Llangorse Lake was an obvious site for a settlement.
In 1868 an Iron Age Crannog was
discovered on a small man made island of stones just off the northern shore of Llangorse
Lake (Bwlc Island). This island would have supported a small number of buildings.
Such dwellings known as Crannogs have identified in many locations in Ireland.
A local legend, recounted by Giraldus Cambrensis (Gerald
of Wales) in his travelogue, said that a city lay submerged beneath the waters of
the lake. In 1925 a remarkably well preserved dug-out canoe
dating from 800 AD was found and the latter can be seen in Brecon Museum.
We know that Llangorse Lake was noted for its bird and fish life even in medieval
times. The Twelfth Century Chronicler Giraldus Cambrensis states as much in his
description of a journey through Wales. He commented that Llangorse Lake which he referred
to as Brecknock Mere "was a
broad expanse of water that supplies plenty of pike, perch, excellent trout, tench and mud
loving eels for the local inhabitants". Giraldus also reports that Llangorse
Lake had miraculous properties such that local
inhabitants have witnessed it completely covered with buildings, that in winter when
covered with ice it emits a loud groaning noise and that the lake sometimes turns
green. At a later stage in its history
Llangorse Lake would once again be coloured green.
|
|
|
|
Plant & Bird life:
Llangorse lake, and its surroundings, are home to an impressive range
of plants and animals - a biodiversity
melting pot. The locality is a refuge for no less than 23 plant species that are rare in
Wales, and a further 15 that are rare
in Breconshire. The flora that can be
found include both white and yellow water lilies, the fringed water lily, greater
spearwort, flowering rush, golden dock, and amphibious bistort, narrow leaved water
plantain and rare pondweeds and duck weeds amongst many others. Llangorse Lake and its
reedy shores and shallows are an excellent habitat for the dragon
fly. A number of species have been recorded including the Golden ringed
Dragonfly. The lake contains a number of fish
species including Roach, Perch, Pike Bream, Tench, Carp, and eel. Llangorse lake was
at onetime famous for its enormous eels.
The wide variety of plants and other food sources attract a wide range
of birds including Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Moorhen and Coot, Curlew.
It is probably the second largest breeding site in Wales for the Reed Warbler and also the reed bunting which
nest in the largest reed beds found in inland Wales. The reed beds are also an important
habitat for thousands of starlings. Some 20 species arrive for the winter,
including teal, tufted duck, pochard, great crested grebe and coot. It is an important
site for many species that stop to feed here on migration including the occasional osprey.
Llangorse Lake is noted amongst bird watchers visit for its winter ducks which include the
mallard, smaller teal, the less well represented pochard, and the tufted duck. The lakes reedy marshes are an ideal place from which
to study a wide variety of waterfowl.
Although the general impression one would have from the Lakes
appearance is of a healthy beautiful location this is not the full story. Given the
surface area of the lake one would expect a greater presence of bird numbers. The
Lake suffered significantly from pollution by sewage, detergents and agricultural fertilisers in the post war
decades. This had a serious effect on the bird and plant life. The range of underwater plants
present is greatly reduced. Some of the rarer plants on the lake bed have gone or are
going. It seems likely (though there have been no recent studies to confirm this) that
some of the more sensitive invertebrates are no longer present in the
lake.
Environmental Factors:
Llangorse Lake has probably been subject to more scientific investigation than any
other lake in Wales. At onetime Llangorse Lake was subject to increasing eutrophication with nutrient enrichment,
Algal blooms and decline in the variety and
extent of aquatic macrophytes. Recreational use has included sailing, canoeing,
windsurfing, fishing, water skiing and informal bank-side recreation.
Concern has been expressed that some species have been adversely affected by changes at
the lake particularly those caused by recreation and eutrophication.
A major source of nutrient input was removed following the diversion of
sewage effluent from the village that had
previously been fed into the lake. Prior to diversion Llangorse Treatment Works pumped
15,000 gallons of treated sewage a day into the lake. It
is not clear to what extent eutrophication of the lake has diminished. The incidents of Algal Bloom which was common in the 60’s and 70’s has
declined since the diversion of sewage. There is the risk that contamination
levels in the lake may be maintained by leaching
from animal waste and nitrogen fertiliser run off from neighbouring land. The
extent to which phosphorus and nitrogen contained in lake sediment are being
released is also unknown. Concern has been expressed that in a shallow lake such
as Llangorse Lake power boats (and of course wind) creating waves may stir mud
and water and release nutrients.
Llangorse Lake Improvement. A recent study by Dr
Catherine Duigan of the Countryside Council for
Wales, senior fresh water ecologist, has expressed concern about two-thirds
of the leaks in Wales are affected by acid rain. She states that there is
a real danger of the leaks which become too rich in nutrients because of
pollution could result in algal bloom smothering other plants. The study
also comments that Llangorse lake in the Brecon is a good example of a lake
that has recovered well from over enrichment in nutrients after sewage was
diverted.
|
|
|
|
|
Recreation
and Conservation Problems:
The shoreline of this the largest natural lake in South Wales has a caravan site,
parked cars, a sailing club, cafeteria, and premises belonging to P.G.L. Adventure.
All of the major candidates during the last but one general election stated that the
use of power boats is not consistent
with the environment of Llangorse Lake and its designation as a Site of Special Scientific
Interest. One called for the National Park to introduce bye-laws to prevent this
occurring.
 The
Brecknock Wildlife Trust has
expressed concern that the potential of the lake for wildlife continues to be severely
curtailed by the continual leaching of nitrates and phosphates from the surrounding fields
promoting dense Algal concentrations and poisoning aquatic plants. Many authorities have expressed
concern that the use of Llangorse Lake by powerboats and even sailing
boats will have varying degrees of effect on different species of birds. The
passage of such craft may cause birds to take evasive
action, leaving less time and energy to collect food for themselves and offspring. There
is also concern that wave wash may serve to deplete the extent of the reed sites which are
essential breeding grounds for species such as the Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting.
A voluntary arrangement has reduced the number
of permits issued to boat owners from around 2,000 to just 100 since 1990. Only nine
speedboats towing skiers are allowed on the lake at onetime. They are limited to
5 mph except when actually towing a skier. Water sports enthusiasts say this has greatly reduced the numbers of casual one-day skiers coming to
the area leaving the bulk of the Llangorse Lake free for sailing and fishing. Conservationists including the Brecon Beacons National
Park, the R.S.P.B. and the Countryside Council for Wales have expressed opposition to the
continuation of power boating amid concern that the powerboats
may damage the vegetation particularly the reed beds around the lake and have a
detrimental effect on the birds and plant life.
On the other hand the Sports Council for Wales
has stated that a complete ban is not warranted and should only be introduced if all other
efforts to resolve the concerns have been exhausted. They emphasise that Llangorse Lake is
the one of only two inland opportunities for water skiing
in South Wales (the other at Bryn Bach Parc being small and able to accommodate only one
boat at a time). Water skiing is a sport with about 20,000 participants in the United
Kingdom. They have suggested reconciling the situation through zoning
areas of the Lake and through self policing by members of the British Water Ski
Federation. At Llandegfedd Reservoir, a major
water recreation facility in South Wales, water skiing is not allowed at all . It is also
considered necessary to limit sailing to the summer months and to only certain parts of
the reservoir away from breeding grounds. Professor Ron Edwards who chaired the committee
that produced the most recent government report on National Parks
"Fit for the Future" commented that
"the forms of outdoor recreation to be
encouraged in National Parks should be only those which involve the quiet enjoyment of the
areas and which do no lasting damage"
Llangorse Sailing Club
Llangorse
Nr Brecon
Powys
UK
Tel: 01874 658596
Contact details:
Ms Sara Beck
17 Meyrick Street
Hereford
HR4 0DY
UK
lscmembership@yahoo.co.uk
|
|
