An Anglers Paradise. 39 
After gazing for a few moments at the grand display of scenic 
nature, we hurried in to luncheon, to which we both did ample 
justice. The lake may be approached from Bala if required, the 
drive being fifteen miles to the hotel, which is replete with every 
comfort, and I cannot speak too highly of the reception which we 
had. Truly, it is an “ Angler’s Paradise.” The spread of shining 
trout upon the table in the hall was a sight worth going far to see. 
Each basket was weighed whilst the guests were at dinner, and 
after a sumptuous repast, we strolled to witness the display. The 
‘examination of the fish, the discussions which arose, the friendly 
chat that followed, such as is only known to anglers, all combined 
to make a pleasant evening, after which each guest retired to rest, 
and pleasant dreams of giant trout drawn from the hidden depths 
of Vyrnwy. 
The lake was made by building an enormous dam or bank, 
which is in reality one gigantic block of concrete. The mode of 
its construction is interesting. The stone used was obtained from 
a quarry near, and is hard and dark in colour. It belongs to the 
Caradoc group of the lower Silurian system. Some of the blocks 
used weighed as much as ten tons, and above a third of the stones 
of which this huge dam is formed weighed over four tons apiece. 
Each stone was worked to a flat surface on the underside, and 
was then lowered into a bed of concrete, and the inter spaces 
filled with concrete, which was well rammed, in order the better 
to consolidate the mass. 
The dimensions of the lake and dam are as follows :— 
Height from bottom of foundation to the parapet 
of roadway aint is zis sis iby 161 feet. 
Length along the top a Bi wis 1,165 feet. 
Height from river bed to sill of auertiont re 84 feet. 
Greatest thickness at base ... ac aw eg 120 feet. 
Batter or slope— 
Inside the dam is abe aa ... 1 horizontal in 7} vertical. 
Outside ‘9 dé wane 53 33 1% vertical. 
Superficial area of the take . ate ee .. 1,121 acres. 
Average width is ss sats ts oss 4a mile. 
Circumference Pe any sisi 11? miles. 
There is a road over thé aati which is supported by a 
viaduct, consisting of thirty-one arches, each of twenty-four feet 
