Importance of weed clearance
While my days are very long, there are multiple reasons behind why the duckweed needs to be cleared. Overgrown patches can feature weed up to a foot thick, so even pushing a boat through it is almost impossible.
Canal boat engines are also often cooled using a filter and the water itself. Duckweed clogs this filter, which can lead to expensive mechanical problems.
Then there’s the environmental threat – in large quantities, weeds can deoxygenate water, endangering marine life and biodiversity in the water. More visibly, large volumes of rubbish can get stuck in duckweed blooms, blocking it.
As such, it’s vital we keep on top of this nuisance until late September, when the temperatures begin to drop and weed growth slows down. Then everything stops from a duckweed perspective – you generally won’t see any in the winter because it’s too cold, and then the cycle begins again in March. area rely on the canal for their summer trade, so they’ve been really friendly and appreciative of our work.
We’ve also received nothing but praise from the boating community, which is massively appreciated, and I think the general public, even those not using the canals, know the problem weeds can cause if left untended.
This definitely serves as good motivation during those long working days, and lets us know we’re making a difference.
Honestly, despite the long hours, it’s a wonderful way to spend the summer. We get to see the friendly faces of those using the canals every day, and keep our treasured waterways clear and healthy as a result.
For more information on weed clearance, please visit: https:// www.therothengroup.co.uk/