***IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ BEFORE VISITING***
Due to the location of this virtual cache, mobile phone and data network signals are very patchy and we would highly recommend downloading any geocaches to an offline list or take a print out for what is required to fufil the logging criteria before you arrive at this location.
Dam, It's Beautiful! (Powys)
A Bit of History ..
The dams and reservoirs were built to supply regular fresh water to Birmingham. Building work began in 1883, continuing until the last dam was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. There are six impressive dams altogether. Four follow the Elan River - Craig Goch, Pen y Garreg, Garreg Ddu, and Caban Coch and two are on the river Claerwen - the Claerwen dam and the unfinished Dol y Mynach dam.
In order to log this virtual cache as a find, you will first need to visit each of the four dams along The Elan Valley Trail.
All dams are easily accessible by road if you'd prefer to drive or cycle them.
The four dams can be visited in any order and do not need to be completed in a set time frame.
We have set four tasks that require completing, that is one task at each of the dams.
Craig Goch Dam
N 52° 18.312' W 3° 37.370'
The Craig Goch Dam, often called the Top dam, is a masonry dam in the Elan Valley of Wales and creates the upper-most of the Elan Valley Reservoirs. Construction on the dam began in 1897, and it was completed in 1904. The primary purpose of the dam and the other reservoirs is to supply Birmingham with water.
Stargazing..
The Elan Valley in Mid Wales has International Dark Sky Park status - meaning that its entire 45,000 acres are protected against light pollution, making it a sanctuary for wildlife and nature (and stargazers). It offers some of the best places in the world to go stargazing and on clear nights you can see stars, planets and constellations. Popular with stargazers and astro-photographers, the Elan Valley's Craig Goch Dam near Rhayader has easy parking. Stargaze from the dam itself or take the path on the east side of the reservoir to find stunning views of the night sky.
Task One
Take a picture with Craig Goch Dam in the background
(Sample picture below)
ChapmanGang Visited Elan Valley on 5th February 2023
Pen Y Garreg Dam
N 52° 17.597' W 3° 35.889'
Pen y Garreg Dam third of the Elan Valley Dams, also known as the middle dam. This dam houses an access tunnel to the central tower which is lit by apertures in the downstream side of the dam.
Task Two
Look for the information board on Pen Y Garreg
The hydro-electric turbine near the bottom of the dam generates how many kilowatts of electricity?
Garreg Ddu Dam
N 52° 15.802' W 3° 35.770'
Garreg Ddu Dam also known as the submerged dam is the second of the Elan Valley Dams. The completely submerged dam which plays a vital role in maintaining a constant supply of water to Birmingham. Garreg Ddu holds water back on the upstream side so that water can always be extracted at the Foel Tower.
Task Three
Looking at the noticeboard on The Elan Estate
In all, over how many men passed through the books in the 13 years of construction?
Caban Coch Dam
N 52° 16.133' W 3° 34.686'
Caban Coch Dam is the lowest of the four dams built in the valley of the Elan River It is the simplest and most functional in appearance of all the dams, resembling a natural waterfall when the reservoir is full with water pouring over the dam wall. The stone buildings on either side of the river just below the dam wall which house electricity generating turbines and further downstream is the visitor centre and car park.
Task Four
Looking at the information board, there is an old photograph of Caban Coch Dam
Who took this photo and in what year?
Logging Criteria..
1. Task 1 - Upload a photo to your "FOUND" log of yourself (there is no need for your face to show in the picture unless you wish to do so), a GPS device, or your caching name written on paper. Of course if you have the urge to upload more please feel free to do so.
2. Send us your answers to tasks 2, 3 & 4 by either the message centre or email within 4 weeks of the date of your posted online found log.
We will respond as soon as possible but you are free to log this cache as a find, while waiting for our response.
Any logs that do not meet the above criteria will be deleted without warning.
Enjoy, ChapmanGang.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.