Solution for Verulamium Park lakes?
The park’s two lakes have had problems with silt, high-levels of nutrients, low levels of oxygen and slow-moving water.
This has created conditions for unsightly algal blooms to appear in warmer weather.
An outbreak of avian botulism also occurred this summer with several ducks and wildfowl being killed. There is concern the virus could return next year.
Now a scheme to improve the environmental conditions is to be looked at by St Albans City and District Council.
Measures that have already been taken to improve water quality including adding a natural organism that “eats up” silt.
New signs to explain to park users the adverse consequences of feeding the waterfowl have also been put up.
Details of the work being undertaken were given to a meeting of the Council’s Local Services Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 5 November.
The long-term solution being studied will involve placing gabions – cage-like baskets filled with rocks and stones – around the edges of the lakes.
Silt will then be removed from the lakes and put behind the gabions to provide an area that would be filled with aquatic plants.
These would help “cleanse” the lakes by reducing nutrients that lower oxygen levels in the water.
As a result of the changes, the lake would likely be narrower, but the water would flow faster and scour the bottom, lifting the silt and moving it on.
The lakes, built in the 1930s beside the River Ver, would also look more natural and less ornamental.
Councillors were told that a similar scheme is in operation at a lake in Hitchin and is working well, although the area involved is considerably smaller.
Officers are to arrange a site visit and a plan for Verulamium Park could be drawn up and costed if it is considered suitable.
Officers are also looking at a way of oxygenating the lakes by machines. Investigations are being carried out to see if an adequate power supply can be obtained.
Councillor Anthony Rowlands, Chair of the Local Services Scrutiny Committee of St Albans City and District Council, said: “Verulamium Park is one of the District’s major attractions. The outbreak of avian botulism was one of the big issues of the summer.
“There are a series of problems with the lakes and unfortunately it is clear that there is no quick or inexpensive fix.
“Disappointment was expressed at the long delays in finding a permanent and sustainable solution and then allocating funding for its implementation.
“This is an urgent issue of considerable public concern. The Committee will be following developments closely over the coming months.”
A webcast for the meeting can be found on on the Council’s website at: https://stalbans.public-i.tv/core/portal/home
The agenda and papers for the meeting are available at: https://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/ieDocHome.aspx?bcr=1
Councillor contact:
Anthony Rowlands, Chair of the Local Services Scrutiny Committee of St Albans City & District Council. Tel: 07761-232064 Email: anthonyrowlands@hotmail.com
Contact for the media:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City & District Council
Tel: 01727 296130
E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk
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1. The Local Services Scrutiny Committee scrutinises public services provided to residents in St Albans District and issues about the area. More information is available on the Council’s website at: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/decision-making-constitution-overview-and-scrutiny