Specialist team called in after algae takes over Canoe Lake
A specialist team are waiting for equipment stuck in customs
Portsmouth City Council has confirmed Canoe Lake will be cleaned following huge algae blooms that have covered much of the lake’s surface.
The council responded to concerns about the condition of the Southsea seafront attraction, where algae has rapidly spread during the recent spell of hot weather.
Algae thrive in hot, sunny conditions because higher water temperatures speed up metabolic processes inside algae cells, while increased sunlight boosts photosynthesis. Excess nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, can also contribute to algal growth.
A Portsmouth City Council spokesperson said: “It’s common to see green algae growing in and around Canoe Lake, particularly over summer, however the recent spell of extreme heat has rapidly accelerated its growth.
“A specialist cleaning company is booked to carry out a thorough removal of the algae. A specialist craft is used to float around the lake to cut and clear all of the algae.
“Our council maintenance teams regularly visit the lake to clear and clean as much as possible, however the current volume is making this difficult to maintain.”
Harbour Clean, a marine waste control company, said it had been booked to clean the lake but had been delayed by an unexpected equipment breakdown and apologised for the delay.
The company said the part it needs is “not available in the UK” and is on the way from Holland “but is currently stuck in customs waiting in clearance”.
Opened in 1886, Canoe Lake was created by draining marshland that once covered much of Southsea. Originally designed for model yacht sailing, the seawater-fed lake went on to become a popular community attraction, known for pedalos and its mute swans.