WARRINGTON residents are being warned to take extra care in Sankey Valley Park – because a mat of green weed has made parts of the canal look like solid ground.
Borough council chiefs are concerned that the water surface can look like grass, or even a stone path, and people and animals might try to step on it.
Visitors should take care not to allow children or pets to attempt to walk on the canal as they will fall through the floating weed into the water.
The plant is Azolla and not native to Britain. It has spread from garden and ornamental ponds to the wider countryside and can grow rapidly during warm weather, doubling in size and cover over four to five days.
Azolla is not poisonous, however thick carpets which develop over large areas block sun light to water oxygenating plants in the canal and can cause a reduction in oxygen levels.
Local volunteers form Dallam and District Community Angling Group have cleared Azolla from some areas of the canal and have installed booms to hamper its spread.
A tiny weevil native to North America has proved successful in controlling Azolla and will breed and reproduce rapidly to eat the plant. This natural method of control has no detrimental effect to native wildlife and the weevil will die once the food source has been consumed. The council is looking to release these weevils as soon as they are
available over the summer months.
Warrington Borough Council is working with the Environment Agency and the angling group to monitor oxygen levels in the canal and control the spread of the plant wherever possible.
Dangerous - the canal that looks like a field
Canal weed poses danger to unwary residents
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