Upper Course of the River Severn
The **River Severn** (UK's **longest river, 354 km / 220 mi**) begins its journey in the **uplands of Mid Wales**. The **upper course** defines its **mountain character**:
Source
- Plynlimon (Pumlumon) massif, Ceredigion/Powys border** — **peat bog (2,000 ft / 610 m)**.
- Multiple springs** — **official source: Nant y Llanerch (SN 789 870)**.
Location & Landscape
- County: **Powys (mostly), Ceredigion (source).**
- Landforms: **Steep V-shaped valleys, waterfalls, gorges, interlocking spurs** — **classic youthful river**. **Plynlimon = watershed (Severn, Wye, Rheidol, Ystwyth).**
Key Settlements (Upstream → Downstream)
- Llanidloes — **first town (market, flannel history), Hafren Forest.**
- Llandinam — **Dolomau (hydro), historic bridge.**
- Caersws — **Roman fort, railway junction.**
- Newtown (Y Drenewydd) — **largest upper town, Robert Owen (co-op pioneer), textile mills.**
- Welshpool (Y Trallwng) — **gateway to lowlands, Powis Castle, Montgomery Canal.**
Major Tributaries (Upper)
- Afon Hafren — **left bank, joins near Llanidloes**.
- Afon Llyfnant — **right bank, joins near Llandinam**.
- Afon Carno, Afon Trannon, Afon Mule, Afon Bechan, Afon Rhiw, Afon Cain, Afon Tanat, Afon Vyrnwy (major, Lake Vyrnwy reservoir).**
Hydrology & Ecology
- Flow: **Flashy, spate-prone** — **rain on peat/impermeable rock**. **Low baseflow in summer**.
- Water Quality: **High (oligotrophic)** — **brown trout, grayling, otter, dipper, kingfisher.**
- Land Use: **Sheep farming, forestry (Hafren Forest — Sitka spruce), tourism (walking, fishing).**
- Glyndŵr's Way / Severn Way** — **long-distance paths follow upper valley.**
Transition
At **Welshpool / Buttington**, the Severn **exits the hills**, enters the **Shropshire Plain** — **middle course begins: meanders, floodplain, lower gradient**. The **upper course is wild, Welsh, and watershed-defining**.
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