If they release water two days before a heavy rainfall there will be floods; DAM SCHEME RAISES FEARS FOR HOMES.

Byline: By HYWEL TREWYN

A FAMILY fear their home could be flooded if plans to raise a power station's dam go ahead.

In November, Snowdonia National Park Authority gave First Hydro permission to raise Marchlyn Mawr Dam, near Llanberis, by loft and the water by 8ft to generate more electricity.

Angry villagers in Llanberis, Brynrefail and Cwm y Glo have criticised the decision fearing it could lead to their homes being flooded.

First Hydro chiefs insist there is no danger and claim the move could actually lessen the risk of flooding.

Neil Roberts, 36, lives with his wife Cheryl and two young children, Katie and Mathew, at Pen Llyn at the end of Llyn Padarn.

Neil said: "We were flooded from both sides - from the lake and river - in February 2005 when the water came through our front door and into our two front rooms.

"I know people have had it a lot worse but it was heartbreaking."

Although some areas around Llanberis are marked as flood plains on the Environment Agency's flood map, the Roberts family are worried that not all potential areas are included.

"'I'm not an expert but I've lived here for some years and seen the water levels in the lake and river rise.

"A lot of local people are concerned. I'm worried if they release the water, say two days before a heavy rainfall over 24 hours that there will be floods. It adds to the risk."

Local people are now planning to get a petition together in opposition to the plans.

Many of them want First Hydro to carry out works at Pen Llyn and on the Afon Seiont to allow any floodwater to drain out and alleviate concerns.

First Hydro director Mike Hickey insisted that increasing the height of the dam "does not place the area at increased risk of flooding and residents should not be concerned."

The pumped storage power station can generate extra power for the National Grid almost instantly.

When electricity is needed, water is released from Marchlyn into Llyn Peris and energy is created by the downflow of water, which powers a set of generators to create electricity.

Water is pumped back to Marchlyn Mawr from Llyn Peris, usually overnight when electricity demand is at its lowest.

The building work is expected to take six months.

First Hydro spokesman Kevin Dibble said: "Local residents should not be concerned over the impact of this proposed scheme on existing flood protection arrangements. These will not change.

"Should the scheme go ahead there would be no change to the maximum operating level in the lower reservoir, Llyn Peris, that is, no increase in the amount of water in Llyn Peris.

"Llyn Peris would actually operate more frequently at lower levels than currently as more of the water available to the station can be stored at Marchlyn.

"The Environment Agency is fully aware of the scheme and is comfortable that there is no change to existing flood protection arrangements - the station will continue to comply with existing rules and agreements in place with the Agency.

"Details of the scheme are on display to the general public at our Electric Mountain visitor centre in Llanberis. This includes copies of the Environmental Impact Statement in which these issues are fully covered."

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CAPTION(S):

Neil and Cheryl Roberts, centre, and their children Katie and Mathew, fear their home could be flooded if plans to raise the Marchlyn Mawr Dam, near Llyn Padarn, go ahead. Inset: Villagers fear the villages of Llanberis, (top) Bry nrefail and Cwm y Glo (bottom) could all be under threat Pictures: ROBERT PARRY JONES