Alexandra Park boating lake choked by pond-weed

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Richard
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Alexandra Park boating lake choked by pond-weed

Postby Richard » Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:37 pm

An early growth of several types of pond weed has appeared on Alexandra Park boating lake already - not sure why but it is very heavy and severe this year for the first time in the 8 years I have lived opposite.
This does not normally happen until much hotter weather in the summer and nothing like the growths present already (it's only April, after all).

Please see attached:
Attachments
filamentous weed mass 1 x.jpg
extent of coverage x.jpg
drying weed  2mounds x.jpg

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Geoff
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Re: Alexandra Park boating lake choked by pond-weed

Postby Geoff » Sun Apr 30, 2017 3:24 pm

I would suggest this is something to do with the addition of the pontoons restricting flow of water from one end to the other. Whilst in general I think they're a great idea for wildlife etc, this looks to be a problematic downside.

Nice photos, thanks Richard ;)

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Richard
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Re: Alexandra Park boating lake choked by pond-weed

Postby Richard » Sun Apr 30, 2017 8:25 pm

I agree about the pontoons Geoff.
That is a very reasonable idea, ponds higher up in the valley had some toxic blooms recorded only last year - is there any connection or is the Alexandra Park bloom entirely harmless?
I will ask relevant bodies connected with the Environment Agency if this is a concern as I know tourism is affected by our coveted 'Blue Flag Status' for the bathing water monitored on the beach and anything untoward higher up that issues down to the beach can become a problem.
Clearly something has upset the ecosystem and the water may need clearing more frequently (by draining?) this year.

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Geoff
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Re: Alexandra Park boating lake choked by pond-weed

Postby Geoff » Sun Apr 30, 2017 8:37 pm

Draining or dredging, either way something should be done to clear the weed to a more reasonable level. Perhaps the pontoons idea needs a rethink if they are indeed causing the problem.

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Richard
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Re: Alexandra Park boating lake choked by pond-weed

Postby Richard » Mon May 01, 2017 8:38 am

The pontoons were the first scheme (2015/2016) in an urban park in the UK aimed at using natural ecology of the roots of the 'islands' to clean up the water.
More water is being deliberately diverted into Alexandra Park, where the pontoons are supposed to slow down the flow and allow the 'islands' to do their work naturally.
Our bathing water is at risk of not meeting the new European standards and this is just one of a number of initiatives to help improve its quality.

Hastings Borough Council has been working with the Environment Agency, Southern Water and The Landscape Group and specialist contractor, 'Biomatrix' as part of the project, which has cost several millions to produce the current weed-choked outcome.
As Geoff says, draining or dredging and re-thinking about the extensive use of pontoons may well be under serious consideration now.
In fact I remember the boating lake was drained / dredged only a few weeks ago, so the problem must be quite severe if it is already choked up again.


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