Afon Twrch

Afon Twrch
Afon Twrch looking south downstream from the side of Pen yr Helyg
Etymology	afon / 'river' and twrch / 'boar'.
Location
Country	Wales
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Southern slopes of Bannau Sir Gaer (Carmarthen Fans) and Fan Brycheiniog
• coordinates	51°52′49″N 3°42′39″W / 51.880359°N 3.710933°W / 51.880359; -3.710933
• elevation	770 metres (2,530 ft)
Mouth
• location	River Tawe at Ystalyfera
• coordinates	51°45′40″N 3°46′55″W / 51.761194°N 3.782022°W / 51.761194; -3.782022
• elevation	70 metres (230 ft)
Length	8.7 miles (14 km)
Basin features
River system	River Tawe
Tributaries
• left	Nant Gwys
• right	Nant Lluestau, Nant Manyn, Nant Y Ddraenen, Twrch Fechan, Nant Y Llyn, Nant Llynfell

The Afon Twrch is a river which rises in the Black Mountain in south Wales. It forms the boundary between Powys and Carmarthenshire and, downstream of Ystradowen, between Powys and Neath Port Talbot.

The name derives from Welsh afon / 'river' and twrch / 'boar'. In common with other rivers sharing the same name, it is believed to refer to the burrowing or snouting action of the waters of the river.^[1] The river has also been associated with the legend of Twrch Trwyth.

The headwaters arise on the southern slopes of Bannau Sir Gaer (Carmarthen Fans) and Fan Brycheiniog and are soon joined by the waters of the Twrch Fechan. The river flows south-west and then south and finally south-east for about 9 miles (14 km) to its confluence with the River Tawe at Ystalyfera. Tributaries include the Nant Gwys and the Nant Llynfell.^[2]

Settlements on the lower section of the river include Ystradowen, Cwm-twrch-uchaf, Cwm-twrch-isaf and Gurnos.

Parts of Cwm Twrch on its Carmarthenshire side are designated as an SSSI because they expose a good example of a boundary between strata.^[3][4]

A colliery was established at Henllys Vale (OS grid ref SN762137) from which tramroads or waggonway ran down the valley to Cwm-twrch-isaf. A tall brick chimney is among the remains of several buildings associated with the former colliery. A bank of limekilns is also located at this spot, which can be reached by a walk along the line of the tramway running upstream from Brynhenllys Bridge (OS grid ref SN 756125).^{[citation needed]}