Llyn Peris
Llyn Peris is a lake in
Snowdonia,
Wales, approximately 1.8km long and situated close to the villages of
Llanberis and
Nant Peris. The lake was formed glacially and is an example of a
moraine dammed lake. Llyn Peris is named after
Saint Peris, an early Christian saint of whom little is known. The lake is flanked on one side by the mountain
Elidir Fawr and the former slate quarry of
Dinorwig. Above the opposite bank are the hills of Derlwyn and Clogwyn Mawr and a rock formation known as the Lady of Snowdon, due to its resemblance to a human face. The ruins of
Dolbadarn Castle are also located on a mound above the lake.
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Dinorwig Power Station with Llyn Peris in the foreground |
The lake now forms the lower reservoir of
Dinorwig power station and the administrative buildings for the station are situated on the lake shore. Water is pumped into the lake from
Marchlyn Mawr (the upper reservoir) to produce electricity during periods of peak demand. This water is in turn, pumped back to the upper reservoir using electricity purchased at off-peak periods. The water level of the lake therefore varies considerably depending on UK electricity demand. Excess water from the lake drains into
Llyn Padarn.
During construction of the power station, rare Welsh
Arctic char from the lake had to be removed to Ffynnon Llugwy another lake in Snowdonia. The capacity of the lake was increased considerably at this time, with the removal of large quantities of slate waste.
Parts of the lake shore are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for Glacial Geology.
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Dinorwig Power Station*
Dolbadarn Castle, from Llanberis' Website
