The draining of a mountain reservoir after it sprang a leak has angered livestock owners, who want it refilled.
The Llyn Anafon in the Carneddau mountains, Conwy, was emptied by its owners Welsh Water to fix a leak.
But a large muddied area has been left behind which Aber and Llanfairfechan Graziers' Association says leaves animals at risk of injury.
It is demanding that the 16 acre lake is refilled urgently to protect sheep and ponies.
Llyn Anafon was a small natural lake before the dam was built to create a reservoir to provide water for Llanfairfechan and nearby villages.
"This is a beautiful scenic place, but now it's a mess," said graziers' director Gareth Wyn Jones.
Draining the 16-acre lake has left a large area of mud which is a danger to grazing sheep and wild ponies, Mr Jones added.
"Lots of people also come up here walking and if a child got in there is no chance he is going to get out.
"I think it's a disgrace and I think it's been drained because it's not profitable," he said.
Gwilym Roberts the chairman of the graziers' association described the lake as a "special place".
"The leak from the dam is only a trickle of water and we want the water company to come and repair it," he added.
But Dwr Cymru said the water level in Llyn Anafon was lowered by one metre as a safety precaution when it was discovered that there was a leak at the top of the dam.
"We are consulting with the Environment Agency and other bodies on a repair proposal, for which we need consent," said a spokesman.
"We will temporarily have to lower the water level further while carrying out this work, after which the water level should return to normal," he added.
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