Ird of the year. Natural Resources Wales says it’s a question of priorities
“However it does affect our bred-and-butter operations, especially as it can be so unpredictable.
“When the ground is too soft we can’t get our machinery onto the land to maintain our own ditches or control the reeds.
“In does
Likewise at Ty Mawr Llan, the annual inundation is not doing the local birdlife any favours.
The land there is suitable for ground-nesting birds such as curlews and lapwings – but often water years like this, it become very difficult.” is still on the ground when they are looking to rear young.
Water that pools on the farm slowly drains downhill across other holdings, finally crossing Pen-yBont Farm before entering the Malltraeth estuary.
Jeff Hughes, who operates a campsite at Pen-yBont, believes inaction by NRW, following the first breach, stored up a problem which is becoming ever more costly to remedy.
“If they had spent the money in the first place, we might not have had more breaches,” he said.
For years people living on the marsh have called for sluice gates on the Cefni at Malltraeth. These could then be used to control sea surges up the river, in theory preventing inland floodwater backing up as it flows the other way.
Gates have been installed under the A4890 road bridge at Malltraeth to control flows in two small watercourses that run parallel to the Cefni: it’s a mystery to some why similar measures aren’t available on the main river.
Jeff believes NRW will need to act soon. “On the Sunday night after Storm Ciara, water levels in the Cefni came to within one metre of overflowing the Cob,” he said.
“The volume of must be putting pressures on the
As sea water flows and ebbs along the Cefni, plants have colonised the river accordingly: saltwater flora can now found almost up to the A55.
This twice daily tidal flow could offer a potential solution, said Jeff.
“It would seem to be an ideal site to install a hydro water huge structure.” plant to generate electricity,” he said. “Proceeds could be used to maintain the Cob.”
Another possible solution is to abandon embankments at the far end of the marsh and create a flood plain.
Affected farmers would need to be prepared to sell land, and NRW to buy it. However, for the NRW, there’s little incentive, as parts of Ty Mawr Llan and RSPB Cors Ddyga are already performing the role anyway.
Gerallt’s preference is to see breaches repaired and reinforced with driven piles. He keeps on lobbying NRW. “It’s like to get blood out of a stone,” he sighed.
Since the first gap appeared the farm hasn’t lost any livestock but only because its owners have a rigorous regime of weather watching. Once the first heavy rain of winter is forecast, animals are moved off the land.
As well as the loss of potential grazing and/or silage, the annual flooding affects the farm’s wider management.
In summer rushes and rank grasses are traditionally cut and used for livestock bedding, in turn opening up the land to ground-nesting birds.
Since the breaches occurred, two months have been lost from the cutting season: getting machinery on the land when it’s dry is now in the lap of the gods.
Longer term lurks the threat of sea level rises, which may one day render the whole debate redundant.
Dylan Williams, NRW’s operations manager, said tough choices needed to be made.
“Our work to reduce flood risk is prioritised, as directed by Welsh Government, to protect communities – people, their homes and livelihoods,” he said.
“Maintaining and improving the Afon Ceint embankment, which mainly protects agricultural land, can’t currently be prioritised over protecting communities most at risk.”
But he added: “As we start to develop options to reduce flood risk in Llangefni, the function of this embankment will be fully considered.”
Gerallt has identified clay in ponds that might be suitable for repairs. In the meantime, all he can do is keep a close eye on the weather and keep his boat in good repair. Like the little Dutch boy who put his finger in the dyke, he may face a long wait before his embankments are fixed.