New trial begins to improve the health of Canoe Lake
The council are trialling ways to remove silt from the lake
A trial has begun at Southsea’s beloved Canoe Lake to remove the silt from the lake that contributed to the algae bloom that covered the lake in the summer.
Today (October 15) marks the start of the trial to look for a potential method for removing accumulated silt from the lake.
A tanker was used to remove silt from the south-west section of the lake, taking out water and separating it from the silt before putting it back into the lake.
The trial forms part of Portsmouth City Council’s ongoing work to improve the ecological health of Canoe Lake. A build-up of sediment can reduce oxygen levels, restrict water movement and contribute to algae growth, particularly during warmer weather.
Due to the unusually hot weather this summer, the lake was filled with algae blooms in May and June, requiring the council to employ a specialist team to clean the water.
The results from the trial will be used to assess how effective the method is and help inform the council on future management of the Canoe Lake.