It Really Is In Healthy Condition.

Looks can be deceiving!

Recently BeCA became alarmed at the condition of the lake. It was thought the red azolla algae would disappear with the onset of colder weather. Rather than looking better, the lake seems to be looking decidedly worse.

(Click on the photo for a larger view, then click "Back" to return to this page.)

BeCA contacted the SCRC’s Kate Mackenzie regarding this issue. Kate is a key member of the SCRC's Waterways Operations Team. She is BeCA's Council contact person for any issue relating to waterways on our estate.

After inspecting the lake she said:

“I think it (the algae) is likely being fuelled in part by the large number of birds that exist within this system which contribute faeces & other nutrients. This along with any other nutrients from the catchment will fuel blooms. The bird feeding has definitely settled down but I think more & more of these urban water bodies are being used opportunistically by birds...we have similar problem with quite a few of the constructed water bodies at present....along with an increase in algae. I was rather surprised how many birds this small system currently sustains...including Ibis. Generally the algae issue is with long detention times in most urban pond which doesn’t allow for a quick flushing & flow through of an accumulated nutrients. Unfortunately while these are features within our urban environments they are actually detention basins for flood mitigation & used as a fill source for the development.”

Kate will be invited to address the AGM meeting on September 6th. We all agree the lake doesn’t look very healthy right now, but in this case, looks can be deceiving.