River Behind My House Has Turned Orange...What Is Going On!
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- čas přidán 12. 01. 2024
- An orange flowing river! I woke up this morning to discover that the Afon Lwyd has turned orange. Now it could be Iron Hydroxide from the old mines further upstream, however, I have reported the incident to Natural Resources Wales as it could be a form of pollution. This particular river has taken a battering over the years and raw sewage is still discharged into it...during the summer months when the water is low, it often smells really bad. It is home to Wild Brown Trout, Salmon, Sea Trout, White-clawed Crayfish and supports birds such as Dipper, Kingfisher and the Grey Wagtail. River pollution is currently high on the agenda and let's hope this is nothing too serious! The Afon Lwyd river has a special place in my heart, I've lived next to it all of my life. It is a tributary of the River Usk, joining it at Caerleon, near Newport in South Wales. It's also synonymous with the valley's heritage and is featured in the Blaenavon Heritage story.
Gareth
#riversidewithme
I have reported this to Natural Resources Wales. It could be Iron Hydroxide from the old mines further upstream although I cannot be sure and so it needs investigating. I have also taken a water sample, should NRW need it.
Didn't no you was a ponty boy gareth I live in Riverside my self
@Beardeddangler Yes bud, born and bred as they say ha! Small world isn't it 👍
@riversidewithme same buddy was 6 months old when I moved to Osborne Road I seen the river the this morning and my first thought was iron I've not seen that I'm my 20 years fishing the affon had some lovely trout over the years from there my best being 2lb 3oz behind the jobcentre. I'm fishing birds tomorrow night fella welcome to join me if you like :)
@@Beardeddangler Yes some lovely trout in there as you say, such a shame that it suffers with pollution and sewage, it seemed particularly bad last summer. Good luck fishing the birds this evening, will hopefully be a few about. It will be an evening of work for me but thanks anyway.
Just incase anybody is interested, we followed the River Afon from Pontrhydyrun (burnt orange) to Cwmavon (clean). Narrowed it down to 0.1m between the Abersychan Fire Station and MG Paint supplies. Crossed the river to Delahay Print & Sign and found the exact spot. There was a tributary (I suspected a stream) that was feeding into the river. Couldn't find the stream on the live maps but managed to follow its path back to Cwmsychan Brook which as expected... follows directly below the Ironworks, top of Abersychan
I glanced at the headline yesterday and thought, "Ah, another river polluted by some old mines surely". Now that I'm reading the article I am heartbroken to find out its actually our river 😢
Thanks Dale. Yes I had a feeling it was to do with the Ironworks given the colour of the water, I just hope it hasn't caused too much damage, I guess only time will tell. Such a nice river and it's a shame that it suffers so much with pollution and sewage. Cheers 👍
Terrible isn't it, very upsetting. I hope the wildlife doesn't suffer too much as a result of this pollution.
@riversidewithme yes it's a huge shame that lots of our beautiful rivers get so much pollution and algae growth due to the quality of the waters.
The silt just down from where it was coming in was bright orange me and the wife said we've never seen anything like it, such a shame.
I saw today that the South Wales argus published what and where it had come from. Hope its not caused to much damage.
We have had similar things happen in SE Scotland caused by the mines . I'm so sorry Gareth both for you and the wildlife .
Ah sorry to hear that you've had it too bud, not good is it. I'm just hoping that it doesn't cause too much damage to the wildlife, that would be very upsetting. All the best.
You probably right about it being from old mines all the recent rain has had time to filter into the mine and raised the levels. You've definitely done the right thing by sampling and reporting the issue. Tight lines 🎣
Sounds about right bud, that could well be the case. It's still bright orange now, I just hope the wildlife isn't affected too much. Cheers and tight lines 👍
@@riversidewithme Take sample of the water and get it tested. Then you will know if there is a pollution problem.. Otherwise any claims you are making are just that.. Claims.
Shocking scenes Sir! I hope the culprits are dealt with!
Not good is it. There was a breakout of mine water (Iron works) further upstream. Hopefully it hasn't caused too much damage 👍
Its Ochre from old mining
Same happened a few years ago in Sixbells, Abertillery. It killed all the fish it came from the mines that burst through. Smells like sulphur. The Coal authority had to build filter lakes to clean the water that are still filtering it now. It took a good while for the river to recover.
That's a shame, it's always upsetting when something like that happens and the wildlife is affected. The river is still coloured today, although not as orange as yesterday, I haven't spotted any dead fish as of yet but I guess time will tell.
Absolutely despicable Gareth well done for taking action so many of us complain but don't act tight line's mate
Terrible isn't it Richard, this particular River has suffered so much in recent years. I hope for cleaner waters, the wildlife deserves it. Tight lines bud 👍
Hope you’re doing ok Gareth that is terrible to see the river like that hopefully you’ll be back out soon fishing tight lines and stay safe 🎣👍
I'm ok thanks Jon, hope all is good with you. Terrible isn't it, apparently an old mine further upstream collapsed and flooded, hence the orange colour (iron oxide). I'll hopefully be out fishing again soon, that's the plan anyway. Cheers as always 👍👍
@@riversidewithme glad you’re ok Gareth look forward to seeing you’re next video and I hope that the river clears up soon and I’m good thanks thanks for asking 👍🎣
Hi Gareth
No seen any post lately ,sorry to see that hope all is well mate
Regards
Al
I'm good thanks Al, hope you are too. A fishing video is going on tomorrow evening at 6pm. Cheers 👍👍
frightening to see, keep us informed how it progresses. Excellent shout to report to NRW. Lets see if they take action.
Certainly is frightening Gareth, it's still the same now, not a pleasant site. Can't be good for the oxygen levels in the water and I hope the things that live in it are not adversely affected. Cheers 👍
It's heart braking Gareth natural resources have a lot to answer for
Terrible isn't it Einsley. This river suffers annually from pollution and raw sewage and parts of it have died. I hope for better and cleaner waters nationwide but I think that's wishful thinking. Hope all is good with you, cheers 👍
Break out from old mine workings had the same problem in Resolven going into river neath had to put reed beds to filter out iron oxide
Yes that's right Stephen, NRW have now confirmed that it was from an old mine further upstream. Still the same today but not so orange. Cheers
@@riversidewithme it’s been over 10 years and still coming out but it’s clear going into the river now
The first thing I thought of was rust and if there was an iron foundry upstream and then I saw your post about the old mines. It looks absolutely terrible and the poor fish that have to put up with it. Well done on recording, sampling and reporting. Just a suggestion, but maybe keep a sample for yourself in case the matter is swept under the carpet by the powers that be.
Yes it definitely has the colour of Iron David, it's been like it for hours and is still going strong. As you say, got to feel sorry for the fish and the other wildlife that rely on the river. Good idea, I'll pop down the bank now and get a second sample, may well come in handy. Not what I wanted to see when I woke up this morning, let's hope it gets resolved soon. Cheers 👍👍
Wonder what the fishing will be like on it this season after all this. The stream that runs through my village in abersychan into the afon is always this colour.
Yes it will be interesting to see how the fishing goes come March when the season opens. Hopefully the iron oxide hasn't killed any fish eggs but I guess only time will tell. Sounds like the stream in Abersychan is also affected by an old iron works. Cheers
Probably Arsenic as it the streams of Cornwall
Hi Gareth, a stretch of my favourite river has become a dead zone, down stream from, you guessed it.,a sewer work's. Something has got to be done, we pay enough in taxes. Hope the river soon recovers. Cheers
Sorry to hear that Nick, upsetting isn't it. The wildlife that relies on this river is beautiful and man continues to destroy its ecosystem. I'd like to think that things will improve but my confidence levels are low. Cheers as always 👍
We got the same problems up here in Hereford Gareth.....The Wye is slowly being poisoned and council/ agencies & government make all the right 'noises' but do nothing about it....disgusting!!
Anyways mate, I hope this finds you well & life's being kind.
All the very best buddy....Jon.
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Terrible isn't it Jon, what's happening to the Wye is outrageous, should never be allowed. As you say, we hear lots of promises when it comes to action but very little is delivered. I'm ok thanks, busy busy as per usual but ok, hope things are good your end. Cheers bud 👍
Old mine working were my first thoughts but as you say we haven't had much rain for the last few days, strange. It would suggest its being pumped out from somewhere.
Strange isn't David, can't be good for the oxygen levels in the water, definitely has the colour of iron. I'll await the response from NRW. Cheers 👍
Further upstream above the Fire station there is a stream that feeds into Lwyd. The rocks where it enters are all orange so I think it is from the old iron works. Not sure if that is damaging to the fish or not. But the river has some fantastic Brown trout in it up to 3lb. Pontypool Angling has a good stretch of the river as does Cwmbran Angling.
Yes that could well be the source of the problem Nathan, certainly looks like the colour of iron. I really hope it doesn't cause any damage to the wildlife. Nice river to fish isn't it, I shall look forward to March at the start of the season, there's something unique about the appearance of the Trout in there, stunning creatures. Cheers 👍
Thers an outlet on the river tawe swansea by the caravan park that's spews out this exact coloured water has done since I was a nipper..and it comes from the the old steel work now gone and a tinplate works still active..but yes recognise that colour 😢
@Miffy162 Ah that doesn't sound good Andrew, shame that it's still going on. The colour apparently is caused by the iron oxide. Natural Resources Wales told me that it can smother and kill fish eggs, it's not good. On this occasion it came from an old iron works further upstream and the Coal Authority are currently putting measures in place so that it doesn't happen again but we'll see! Cheers 👍
@@riversidewithme hope so gareth terrible m8
Is there any old copper mines in the area? There's an old copper mine up on Anglesey, and a river runs down from it that runs through the town and was turned orange like that when it was operating. And even though the water has now cleared, the mud and banks are still orange in places, really badly soaked in. That may be a flooded mine shaft that's burst into the river, either that or so ething the farmers are using to fertilise fields.
Yes it has been linked to an old iron works further upstream, the mine itself flooded and collapsed, resulting in the iron oxide coming down the river. Hopefully it hasn't caused too much damage to the fish and other wildlife. Cheers 👍
This happened to the Rumney a few years ago. They said some old mine workings had collapsed, causing the polluted water to run into the river. Their were no fish deaths reported
Yes, something similar could have happened here Ronald, certainly has the colour of iron. Let's hope the wildlife isn't affected! Thank you for commenting 👍
Hi Gareth Its 100% some sort of pollution..I'd like to comment on what it is bit I haven't got the foggiest idea mate...I'm sure you will find out some way tho....Have a lovely weekend mate
Strange isn't it Nathan, the water is thick with iron-coloured particles, not good at all and I hope the wildlife can withstand it. Hope your recovery is going well mate, take it easy and enjoy the weekend. Cheers 👍
Hi Gareth I'm getting there thanks mate I might pop down cardiff barrage on Friday to have a scratch around for whitting maybe a Codling...I'll let you know how I get on..there's nothing like fresh sea air 👍😎
@nathandavies6857 Nice one, good that you're getting out on Friday, could be a few fish about and as you say, the sea air will work wonders! Tight lines mate 💪🐟
My brother and I fish this river quite often near Caerleon and every year it seems to get worse and worse with pollution and litter - Such as a shame as you really do get some lovely brown trout.
Such a shame isn't it. Like you and your brother, I fish the river often and the amount of rubbish I'm seeing in the water seems to be increasing every year, it's really upsetting. As you say, the Brown Trout in there are beautiful. Thanks for commenting 👍
Take. A sample Gareth.
Yeah I took one this morning Rob, I took two actually. It's still the same now, no change to the colour. I hope it hasn't caused too much damage. Cheers 👍
We had it with our trout farm, lost 20,000 beautiful fish. Gills filled up with sludge.
@@tafflaff That's such a shame, quite devastating I would have thought ❤️
Definately mine related...we get this up here when the old coal mines flush out in wet conditions
Yes I agree Jason and unofficially, an old mine further upstream has flooded, Natural Resources Wales are to confirm. Hopefully it hasn't caused too much damage. Cheers
Yes I agree Jason and unofficially, an old mine further upstream has flooded, Natural Resources Wales are to confirm. Hopefully it hasn't caused too much damage. Cheers
Report it to the environment agency. I did when oil or fuel got into the Ely from a building site. They got it sorted pretty quickly. Good luck with it Gareth.
Thanks Matt. I reported it to Natural Resources Wales first thing this morning and they are currently investigating. Looks like an old mine further upstream has flooded, hence the iron like colouration. I hope it hasn't affected the wildlife too much. Cheers 👍
Bloody terrible the stocks are running now too!
It certainly is terrible, no other word for it. Where's it all going to end, worrying times. Thanks Derek 👍
This needs reporting to the Coal Authority who look after the legacy of metal mines too as well as coal mines.It’s called Ochre and I would guess due to all the rain it’s caused this to reach the surface.Soon as oxygen reacts with it you get the colour that you see.
Yes you're right there Steve. Natural Resources Wales are currently investigating and are liaising with the Coal Authority. There's been no change to the water colour since this morning, it's still bright orange...I hope it's not causing too much damage. Thanks for the comment.
Worth asking NRW 1) Did they attend the scene 2) Did they take a water sample 3) what further action are they taking and what classification have the graded the pollution. Knowning them as they are they are going to fudge it at best and say there is no impact because there is no fish kill. Which is a nonsense because that is a significant disclouration and you would never see any dead fish with the best will in the world anyway.
Yes I'll be asking these questions Nigel, they will hopefully provide a response shortly. This particular river is abused on a regular basis and it's very upsetting. It flows below my garden and so I'll be keeping an eye out for any suffering fish. Last summer the raw sewage coming down was a disgrace and I have no idea as to how the wild Brown Trout and other wildlife survived it. Thanks for the comment, much appreciated 👍
No one to answer to it, and nobody accountable to it. This is the way this country is now.
Sad state of affairs isn't it and the situation seems to be getting worse. Worrying times indeed.
@@riversidewithme A massive push years ago to clean up our rivers was pretty successful in my opinion, now it's sliding backwards at an alarming rate. And as is the norm now there can be another inquiry as to how this and many other rivers have been affected by pollution, SHOCKING.
How are you mate ? The fishing uploads are few and far between I hope you bounce back
I'm ok thanks Steve, I've just been quite busy of late and I've not had the chance to get much fishing in. Hope all is good with you 👍
Fish off the beach in Swansea after constant rain, pull in toilet roll or if you're lucky the floating log. Bad with neglect being the case across the country.
Not good is it Jeff. It's the same on the tidal stretch of the River Usk after lots of heavy rain, you end up hooking all sorts, most of which you don't want to touch if possible! Cheers 👍
Didn’t know to give a thumbs up or down, why does money come before nature ? 😢
Terrible isn't it. That river has taken a battering over the years, disgusting. Hopefully it can bounce back 👍
When are you fishing again mate. Miss the videos
I've been out fishing Sean but I've not filmed the sessions, just fancied leaving the camera at home. I'll hopefully be out filming again shortly. Cheers 👍
@@riversidewithme looking forward to it bud. Hope your sessions got you some fish. Take it easy pal and look forward to your next video
Yo Gareth it's a pity that money over care goes on, but they don't care.
Yes you're right there John, sad world isn't it. Hope all is good with you, take care 👍
@@riversidewithme soo sad the world we now live in bud, wars, rumours of wars, pestilence, earthquakes, floods and to top it all off the society we live in has gone crazy, take care bro 👍
This pollution problem in rivers has to stop is it cos the government get back handers from the companies running these plants . They seem to give them stupid little fines for polluting rivers
Terrible isn't it Gary, shocking that it still goes on. Greed and money usually prevail and that's sad. I do wonder where it will all end up. Cheers 👍
Looks like iron oxide from old mine working
Yes I think so Kieran. It's still the same, hopefully it doesn't cause too much damage. Thank you for commenting 👍
@riversidewithme many streams and tributaries round Sheffield suffer like this. Normally coming and going with in a few hours though.
First time I saw it I phoned Environment Agency subsequently I've nit bothered.
@@kieranberney8620Yes seems that it's quite common nationwide. It's still the same now, no change to the colour . Apparently it's been traced to an old mine further upstream.
@riversidewithme far from ideal but the result of our Industrial heritage.
That won't do the fish any good.
Too true Colin, too true. Not good is it.
@riversidewithme , hope you get a clean spate run and it cleans the riverbed .
Don't look good my mate.
Not good is it Carl. Apparently an old iron mine upstream collapsed and flooded. Hope you're well mate 👍
It’s JUST STOP OIL there sitting just upstream !
Wouldn't surprise me 😂
That is an awful colour for any river .
Not good is it mate. Let's hope it doesn't cause too much damage.