The Afon Lwyd (English: 'grey river') is a 13-mile (21 km) long river in south-east Wales which flows from its source north of Blaenavon,[1] through Abersychan, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool, Llanfrechfa and Cwmbran before flowing into the River Usk at Caerleon, which subsequently flows into the Bristol Channel in Newport.
The river was severely affected by pollution from industry and mine discharge, and fly tipping, but during the 1980s efforts were made to improve the water quality of river and improve fish stocks. To aid this, the Environment Agency Wales built a fish leap at Pontymoile in 2010 enabling fish to ascend past the weir there. By late 2011 it was claimed that the river was in its cleanest state since medieval times.[2]
Historically the river has also been known as the Torfaen – meaning 'breaker of stones' – which gives some indication of the force of the river during surges. Although this name is no longer in use for the river, it is still in common use as the name for the local authority, Torfaen County Borough Council.