Last year a carpet of green greeted us as we entered the Erewash. Today we are once again having to battle the dreaded Azolla Weed. There is an interesting article on the
BBC news which you may be of interest on how the environment agency are trying to eradicate it. W have also heard on the grapevine that 2000 weevils had been introduced further up this canal and as these weevils are the only thing that has any effect on the Azolla, we live in hope that they will soon be chomping their way through the plant otherwise the stuff will soon be in every waterway in the UK. ( It has already shown its appearance at Sawley and that's upstream from us!!! It only needs a few plants to have stuck to the hull or fenders for the plant to start spreading.)
 |
| The approach to Trent Lock |
 |
| Unfortunately several dogs have already fallen in thinking it was grass. |
 |
| Mooring for the facilities on the River Trent at Sawley. |
3 comments:
That looks serious. Golly I guess all boats should try to hose down best they can after exiting the canal, but of course they won't bother probably.
It would be dreadful if that weed was to spread to all canals, I can't even imagine what it would be like.
Would tempt me to give up in this country for sure.
Hi Sue,
Unfortunately once this weed has taken a hold its almost impossible to get rid of. I don't think 2000 weevils will make much difference at the moment. C&RT have also, in my opinion, put them in the wrong spot. They should have been released right at the top in Langley Mill where they would naturally have worked their way down to every pound. By putting them in the bottom pound I can see the whole lot being washed away into the river by the lock usage!
To be honest it looks so serious, just looked at your other pictures and those of Jandi, was it Jandi?
I would have thought that C&RT should consider closing the Erewash for now and get rid, it nees to be taken out manually. I suppose they think it will all go away on it's own.
This is going to spread to the river and go downstream for sure, but it is the boats leaving that canal with it on their bows that are going to spread it to the canals.
Post a Comment