| River Cynon | |
|---|---|
 River Cynon fromAbercynon bridge | |
 | |
| Native name | Afon Cynon (Welsh) |
| Location | |
| Country | Wales |
| Historic county | Glamorgan |
| Unitary Authority | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Settlements | Aberdare,Mountain Ash,Abercynon |
TheRiver Cynon (Welsh:Afon Cynon) inSouth Wales is a main tributary of theTaff. Its source is therising of Llygad Cynon (OS grid ref SN 95240 07740) at 219 m (719 ft) above sea level atPenderyn, Rhondda Cynon Taf and flows roughly southeast, into the Taff atAbercynon in the same district.[1] The water emerging at Llygad Cynon has been traced back to thesink of the Nant Cadlan at Ogof Fawr.[2]
The Nant Cadlan and its tributary the Ceunant Du rise on the slopes ofCefn Cadlan to the northeast of Penderyn flowing initially southeast and then south on the east side of the village to the point where the Cynon arises, adding to the flow emerging from the rising. The waters of the Nant y Bwllfa enter the Cynon as a left-bank tributary between Penderyn andHirwaun. Downstream, the course of the river has been altered at the former Hirwaun Ironworks. The combined flow of the Nant Hir and Nant Melyn enter the river to the north ofPenywaun and that of the Nant y Gwyddel to the east of Penywaun. The Dare River enters as a right bank tributary atAberdare and the Aman River atAberaman. The final tributary of any size is the Nant Pennar which enters on the Cynon's left bank atMountain Ash (Welsh: Aberpennar).[3][4]
The name is recorded asCanan in 1253 andKenon in 1536-9, with the final vowel pronounced with an ə sound.[5] WhileThomas Morgan stated that the name was a compound of the elements "cyn" (meaning chief) and "ain" (water or brook), giving a meaning of the "chief brook",[6] modern writers more commonly state that the river derives from a personal name, Cynan or Cynon.[7] This is also the preferred derivation for theFfrwd Cynon, a tributary of theTeifi. However, noeponym has been identified for either river.[8]
Together with two neighbouring rivers, it gives its name to a local authority, with unitary status,Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The valley, broadly defined as the bulk of thedrainage basin is detailed inCynon Valley.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)51°38′44″N3°19′34″W / 51.6455458°N 3.3260799°W /51.6455458; -3.3260799
 | ThisRhondda Cynon Taf location article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
This article related to a river in Wales is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
