Scheduled MonumentsWalesCyfarthfa balance pond and leat
Post Medieval · Water Power System

Cyfarthfa balance pond and leat

Wales
Cadw SAM GM608
Period
Post Medieval
Site type
Water Power System
Broad class
Industrial
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Cyfarthfa balance pond and leat is a Post Medieval industrial water management system located near Merthyr Tydfil in Glamorgan, Wales. Dating from the late eighteenth century, it formed part of the infrastructure supporting the Cyfarthfa ironworks, one of the largest and most significant iron-producing establishments in Wales during the Industrial Revolution. The system comprised an artificial pond and associated watercourse designed to regulate water supply and power for the ironworks' machinery. The structure represents an important surviving example of the hydraulic engineering employed to sustain large-scale iron production in South Wales during the period of industrial expansion.

Cyfarthfa balance pond and leat is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM608. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Cyfarthfa balance pond and leat?

Cyfarthfa balance pond and leat is a Post Medieval industrial water management system located near Merthyr Tydfil in Glamorgan, Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM608.

What period does Cyfarthfa balance pond and leat date from?

Cyfarthfa balance pond and leat dates from the post medieval period, and is classified as a water power system. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Cyfarthfa balance pond and leat?

Cyfarthfa balance pond and leat is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is GM608.

What other scheduled monuments are near Cyfarthfa balance pond and leat?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Platform Houses on Coly Uchaf (5.2 km), Cefn Merthyr Round Cairns (5.9 km), Brynbychan Round Cairn (6 km).

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