River Garw

The River Garw (Afon Garw in Welsh) runs for about 12 miles from its source in the hills north of Blaengarw to the confluence with the River Ogmore and the River Llynfi at Aberkenfig. It is one of three main tributaries of the River Ogmore which runs through the town of Bridgend.

Originating in Blaengarw, it passes through the villages of Pontycymer, Pantygog, Lluest/Braichycymer, Tylagwyn, Llangeinor, Abergarw, Bryngarw Country Park, and finally the village of Brynmennyn, where it joins the River Ogmore.

The River Garw once had such fish as salmon in it but due to the effects of mining in the valley, both from small family owned shafts, and major pits alike, the river became polluted and dirty with coal dust and other chemicals to the point at which it was once entirely black in color. Given the reddish color of the water in some places, and a "canalised" appearance in others, it seems likely that at some point, the river may have been used to ferry supplies and ores both up and down stream before the railway line was built alongside the river.

During periods of prolonged heavy rain, the River Garw quite commonly bursts it's shallow banks, causing minor flooding in all villages along its length. As the villages are mostly up on the valley walls, this doesn't have any significant effect, save for a few places. A house that once stood next to what is now a small footbridge across the river near the childrens playground on the valley floor at Pantygog was demolished some years ago due to constant flooding from the river. The river has also been known to flood the playground area at Braichycymmer, and sometimes becomes hazardous near the Llangeinor playing fields/railway crossing, and in the lower regions of Bryngarw country Park. It's tributary streams, one of which joins at the boundary of Pontycymer and Pantygog, can turn from mere babbling brooks to raging torrents in a matter of a few minutes, and it is not unknown for this to occur very suddenly.