Verulamium Park Lake Algae
This page is under construction. Please come back soon.
Why should I not feed the birds Toggle accordion
Feeding the ducks and geese at lakes at Verulamium Park is a pastime that has been enjoyed by many for generations. However, whilst it makes us feel good, it is actually making the ducks and geese poorly!
Artificial feeding is actually harmful to waterfowl and bad for the lake and causes:
- Poor nutrition
- Increased hybridization
- Water pollution
- Delayed migration
- Overcrowding
- Spread of disease
- Costly management efforts
- Unnatural behaviour
- Cumulative effects
- Devaluation of the species
Whats the plan to improve the lakes Toggle accordion
We have initiated the Revitalising The Ver project to deal with the complex issues and make long-term, lasting improvements to the water quality of the lakes.
This is a challenging project that we are working on with a number of partners including The Environment Agency, Affinity Water and Hertfordshire County Council.
The ambition is to return the River Ver, a rare chalk stream, to its more natural state as it flows through the park. This will improve the flow into the lakes and reduce silt levels as will plans to border the lakes with plants.
What is the scum that can often been floating on the surface of the water? Toggle accordion
Like any open body of water the lakes are exposed to many contaminants that get into the water. This includes:
- Bird feather
- Animal and bird faces
- Dust and pollen
- Leafs
- Litter
- Water run off from the surrounding roads
This debris drifts on the surface of the water in whatever direction the wind is blowing and collects
What is the green weed that sometime floats in tbe water? Toggle accordion
The green weed that floats to the surface of the water and accumulate in large mats is a type of none toxic Algae. It grows on the sediment and when it floats to the surface the wind pushes it to the edge of the lakes where is can accumulates in large quantities. Once on the surface the algae smells unpleasant.
The Park Rangers remove as much of this algae as possible although this is a difficult task as the algae disintegrate into dust on contact.