Waterways and wetlands

Wetlands are among the most diverse habitats in the UK – providing food and shelter for local wildlife, as well as migrating birds. 

They also provide opportunities for water sports, walking and other hobbies like bird watching.   

Our wetlands and waterways start in the hills where water is captured in bogs and marshes and flows into the Afon Lwyd through streams. 

In the south of the borough, the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal provides an important ecological and recreational corridor.  

Water is stored in several ponds and lakes throughout Torfaen, from those at Garn Lakes Local Nature Reserve to the Boating Lake in Cwmbran.  

Find out more about our waterways and wetlands

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal 

The canal comprises of 35 miles of navigable canal from Brecon to Five Locks Basin in Cwmbran, a further seven miles of unnavigable canal to Newport on the main line, and seven miles to Cwmcarn on the Crumlin Arm. 

The canal has multiple owners along its length. The northern section is owned and managed by Glandŵr Cymru - the Canal and River Trust in Wales, while the section south of Pontypool is in the ownership of the respective local authorities – Torfaen, Newport, and Caerphilly. 

Torfaen Council owns the section between Bridge 47 (Soloman’s Bridge) and Pentre Lane Cwmbran 

Over the next 10 years, there are plans to improve water levels and the condition of the canal and extend navigation to Cwmbran town centre.  

For more information, contact Canal Co-Ordinator Chris Wyatt on chris.wyatt@torfaen.gov.uk  

For volunteering opportunities on the canal, visit Environmental volunteering