'Green canal' returns to normal after algae blooms

A CANAL is back to its normal colour after algae bloomed suddenly, turning the water bright green which could have put the lives of fish at risk.

The water turned green due to the algae blooming on a section of water near Mildenham Mill Lock on the Droitwich barge canal off Egg Lane, near Claines on the outskirts of Worcester.

Last Tuesday's dramatic transformation has been attributed to the hot weather which has caused the algae to bloom suddenly, causing concern that oxygen levels could drop, affecting the fish population.

However, today the water had returned to its normal colour following a prompt response from the Canal and River Trust. Bailiff Mark Hardman identified the problem and Lee Brisker, who holds the fishing rights at Mildham Fisheries, helping protect the fish which live in the canal.

CHANGE: What the canal in Claines looked like when the algae bloomed last week (Image: Newsquest)

The situation was closely monitored. The Canal and River Trust had aerators ready to help oxygenate the water and Mr Brisker said he had invested in his own in case the trust became overwhelmed. These were ready to be deployed.

The canal is home to a variety of species including bream, tench, roach, rudd, eels, pike, perch and chub. If oxygen levels dip suddenly (which can be a result of the algae), fish can die as happened in Worcester last year.

We reported last June how hundreds of fish died in a canal in Worcester as oxygen levels, many floating to the surface. The deaths were caused when oxygen levels in the water dropped at the Birmingham Canal near Blockhouse Lock in Worcester due to soaring temperatures and thunderstorms.

We were told by men operating the pumps for the Canal and River Trust that, because of the heat and humidity, oxygen levels in the canal were reduced.

Lee Brisker of Brisker's AC said Carl Nicholls from the Canal and River Trust had been 'outstanding' in his response to the situation on the Droitwich barge canal, monitoring the oxygen level in the canals because of the algae.

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He said the swift actions of those involved in looking after the canal successfully preserved the lives of the fish.

A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust said: "Blue green algae is naturally occurring and where it is present, typically only in the summer months, our advice is to avoid contact with it.

"It doesn’t impact boating but we advise people to wash their hands if coming into contact with the water, for example, if handling wet ropes.  We advise dog owners to keep their dog on a lead and to avoid contact with the water."