Further reading and background information on the Afon Conwy

Rivers: Afon ConwyFSC Rhyd-y-creuau Field CentreYsbyty IfanYsbyty Ifan is the first settlement ofany significance moving from sourceto mouth on the Afon Conwy. By thispoint the river has been joined by anumber of tributaries making it muchlarger.Ysbyty Ifan is normally the third siteat which students sample on theAfon Conwy.The river at this location is of streamorder 4 (GR 842 488).The bridge over the Conwy at the village of Ysbyty IfanUntil 1189, the village was known as Dôl Gynwal. Then, it came to the attention of theKnights of St John, who set up a hospice. The church marks the spot where the old hospicestood.Upstream of Ysbyty Ifan the river channelbecomes significantly steeper for a shortsection before flattening out back up ontoMigneint Moor.This is the Conwy’s first ‘knick point’, likelyto have been caused by the meeting oftwo large glaciers in the Devensian glacialevent, gaining erosive energy <strong>and</strong>subsequently carving a step in thel<strong>and</strong>scape. This step or ‘knick point’ hasbeen receding ever since <strong>and</strong> today youcan see a small gorge as you drive to orfrom the Migneint Moors.National Truest properties are protected by reinforced banksThe renewal of a rivers potential energy <strong>and</strong> vertical erosion is called rejuvenation.Other points of interest at Ysbyty Ifan are the small floodplain, a river bar forming in thelow energy environment behind the bridge <strong>and</strong> the first signs of river defences includingreinforced banks.