Dolavon (Dolafon in Welsh) is a small town in the province of Chubut, Patagonia, and an important part of the historic Welsh settlement known as Y Wladfa. Located near the Chubut River, Dolavon lies about 19 kilometers west of Gaiman. According to the 2001 census, the town had a population of 2,929, though this number has likely increased since then. The town’s name comes from the Welsh words dôl (meadow) and afon (river), reflecting the fertile landscape of the valley.

Welsh immigrants began settling in the area soon after their arrival in Patagonia in 1865, using irrigation systems to farm in the region’s dry climate. The Central Chubut Railway reached Dolavon in 1915, connecting it to Trelew and helping the town develop as an agricultural center. Dolavon was officially founded in 1919 and went on to become an important hub for wheat production, with its irrigation canals playing a key role in the success of local farmers.

One of Dolavon’s main attractions today is its historic flour mill, which remains a testament to the town’s agricultural past. The mill, with its water wheel, is now a museum, offering visitors insight into how water from the Chubut River was used to power the wheat milling process. Plans for the town’s development have included renewable energy projects, such as a wind farm and a combined cycle power plant, though it is unclear whether these were fully realized.

Despite its small size, Dolavon remains an important part of Y Wladfa’s history, with its Welsh heritage evident in its name, its irrigation-based farming tradition, and its contribution to the agricultural economy of Dyffryn Camwy.