Rheidol and Nant-y-Moch research papers

The group contains papers relating to the research carried out by Lily Newton and her colleagues into water pollution in the River Rheidol and the Nant-y-Moch reservoir. The papers include correspondence with other members of the pollution monitoring team and various interested parties; research notes; reports on the situation; minutes of meetings; water sample data; photographs; maps and diagrams, and papers relating to work carried out by two Aberystwyth Botany PhD students on pollution in the Nant-y-Moch reservoir.

Professor Lily Newton had been investigating the effects of former mine works on pollution in the Rheidol River, Cardiganshire, since the 1920s. In 1956, the river, along with the Nant-y-Moch Lake feeding it, became the subject of a hydroelectric scheme, and construction of a dam, tunnel and power station began. Professor Newton was asked by the Central Electricity Generating Board to take part in a project to monitor the effects of the hydroelectric scheme on water pollution levels in the area, due to the risks associated with disturbing old mine works during construction and activity. Professor Newton remained part of the team investigating such pollution until the late 1970s.