Wales’ iconic ‘stream in the sky’ as it’s rarely seen

The historic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is drained from time to time for inspections to ensure its future. Owen Hughes reports

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IS one of Wales’ most distinctive landmarks and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Brainchild of Thomas Telford and William Jessop, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was once the tallest navigable aqueduct in the world.

It carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee and is generally seen when brimming with water as canal boats, kayakers and paddle-boarders make their way across.

But every year it undergoes a winter maintenance programme, and then there are less frequent “full inspections’.

These can only be done with the water drained. At one time this was done by literally “pulling the plug” in the troughs that make up the famous structure.

These days they pump the water back into the canal rather than releasing it into the River Dee below. Once empty, the huge task of inspecting the structure begins and repairs made where necessary.

Trekking Exploration got a tour of the aqueduct while it was drained over the winter. It is currently full.

Trekking Exploration said: “One of the most interesting things you could see is the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct during winter maintenance.

“On this occasion, the Welsh beauty was drained for inspection purposes to decide on work to be done in the future.”