The village of Llanwddyn (pronounced Lan-win) is in the middle of Wales and was given its name after a Saint named Wddyn. Although the community was small, Llanwddyn consisted of a Parish Church, 3 inns, 10 farmhouses, and 37 houses. The census of 1831 recorded that 668 people were living there. 30 years later in 1871, there were 433 citizens in Llanwddyn. It is believed that the industrial expansions in England were responsible for the urban sprawl that decreased the population of many farming towns. Those who remained in the village took pride in the land they owned, but they were soon greeted with an order to evacuate.

The City Council of Liverpool began to address the consequences of the urban sprawl in the late 19^th century. The council was inspired to construct a plan to supply freshwater to the growing population in the city. Rainfall was prominent in Llanwddyn, so the council was encouraged to build a lake at the expense of the village. In the summer of 1877, the idea of creating a dam was first introduced. While the villagers continued their daily lives, construction began in July 1881. Lake Vyrnwy (pronounced Vern-wee) was soon to become the largest man-made reservoir in Europe, as well as one of the most captivating destinations in Wales.

Much was needed to build the dam. Horses and carts made the transportation of stone and other materials possible. Even a stable was built to house the horses. Approximately 1,000 men were hired to build the reservoir. Sadly, intense manual labor cause 44 deaths during construction. The process included two straining towers that now stand above the waves. The towers mark the start of the water’s 70-mile journey to Liverpool. The purpose of the structures was to filter the water as they pass through the pipes before they reach the city. The towers also restricted the flow of the water and regulated the levels of the lake to prevent overflowing.

By 1889, the dam’s construction had completed. 84 feet high and 1,072 feet long, the dam stood along the outskirts of the village that it was destined to drown. An order of evacuation was announced before the village began to flood. Although many citizens argued with the decision, many of the establishments were demolished once everyone had evacuated. Rehousing was built for those who have lost their homes to the waves. The church as well as the graveyard was relocated to the new village of Llanwddyn, which is south of the reservoir.

Within two years, water began to seep through the village of Llanwddyn, and the village transformed into a reservoir. Everything, the farms, the houses, even the post office slipped under the waves. By 1891, Liverpool successfully obtained the drinking water they were determined to supply. After the reestablishment of Llanwddyn, it is reported that the population had only dropped ten percent from 1871 to 1961.

To this day, tourism is what keeps the memory of the underwater village alive. People often visit the area for recreational activities, such as cycling and picnicking. It is said that during dry spells in the summer, the remains of the village can be seen when the water levels are low. It seems as if the original Llanwddyn is trying to resurrect itself from the reservoir it became.

The concept of underwater cities has inspired various artists, including Ken Levine, the creator of BioShock. Lake Vyrnwy even became an inspiration to one British band. The song “Reservoir” written by Grasscut was composed after Andrew Phillips visited the dam and began to dream about swimming in the lake and discovering the drowned village. It is pleasing to know that even after the fall of Llanwddyn, it still lives on through memorials and songs.