When the dam broke: the 1925 disaster that reshaped a Welsh community and a country's safety laws.

Lynda Yorke; Giuseppe Forino

doi:10.64628/AB.vmy5fw3rh

When the dam broke: the 1925 disaster that reshaped a Welsh community and a country's safety laws.

Lynda Yorke, Giuseppe Forino

School of Environmental & Natural Sciences

University of Salford

Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

Abstract

Nestled between the Caerneddau mountains and the Afon (River) Conwy, the small village of Dolgarrog in north Wales looks peaceful. But the huge hydro-electric pipes that run down the hillside are a constant reminder of the village’s history, and of how the same source of power that once brought prosperity also unleashed disaster.

On November 2 1925, the dam at Llyn Eigiau burst. A torrent of water and boulders thundered down the valley, sweeping through the northern part of Dolgarrog and destroying the small settlement of Porth Llŵyd. Sixteen people were killed.

Original language	English
Specialist publication	The Conversation
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.64628/AB.vmy5fw3rh
Publication status	Published - 30 Oct 2025

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10.64628/AB.vmy5fw3rhLicence: CC BY-ND

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AB - Nestled between the Caerneddau mountains and the Afon (River) Conwy, the small village of Dolgarrog in north Wales looks peaceful. But the huge hydro-electric pipes that run down the hillside are a constant reminder of the village’s history, and of how the same source of power that once brought prosperity also unleashed disaster. On November 2 1925, the dam at Llyn Eigiau burst. A torrent of water and boulders thundered down the valley, sweeping through the northern part of Dolgarrog and destroying the small settlement of Porth Llŵyd. Sixteen people were killed.

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When the dam broke: the 1925 disaster that reshaped a Welsh community and a country's safety laws.

Abstract

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