Up to the year 2000 there had been increasing concerns for the management of the dam, which forms the reservoir of Llyn Coed y Parc. In 2000 the Penrhyn Estate wanted to lower the crest of the dam which would have destroyed the lake. This was opposed by the community and Gwynedd Council denied planning consent for the work. The dam was then listed by CADW as a grade 2 historical structure. This led to Penrhyn Estate trying to divest itself of its responsibility, and eventually to the formation of Coetir Mynydd, which was formed in the first place for the express purpose of taking the over the woods, lake and dam.
In our decision process, we consulted with the Dinorwic engineers, and one of them is now our dam engineer. He has been extremely helpful in all aspects of our maintaining the dam.
