HC Deb 25 May 1988 vol 134 c199W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated total length of riverways and total surface area of freshwater lakes in Wales.

Mr. Grist

The information is not available in the form requested. Estimates made for the Welsh Water Authority's "A strategic plan for water-space recreation and amenity" showed that the surface area of inland waters in Wales was 30,700 acres. The surface area of freshwater lakes in the ownership of the water authorities in Wales is some 13,400 acres. The estimated total length of "main" rivers in Wales is 3,600 miles.

Notes:

Inland waters are:

  1. (a) rivers, streams, other watercourses, whether or not natural, artificial or tidal;
  2. (b) lakes, ponds, reservoirs, docks;
  3. (c) channels, creeks, bays, estuaries and arms of the sea.

Main rivers are:

A watercourse for which a water authority accepts responsibility for its land drainage functions.