We really don’t want to harp on about the Blue Green Algae in Lake Burley Griffin.
But this picture by Mark really does tell a story.
We couldn’t be skimming this?
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We really don’t want to harp on about the Blue Green Algae in Lake Burley Griffin.
But this picture by Mark really does tell a story.
We couldn’t be skimming this?
What’s Your opinion?
The swan amongst the sludge
Thumper said :
Also sediment traps (reed beds) on all inflows, ie Sullies Creek.
Is this green stuff what stank as we drove through the tunnel under the ANU on Parks Way? Even with the air vents closed you can smell some horrible stench, all the way from Glenloch to the big birdbath roundabout.
SnapperJack said :
Perth’s Swan River has had serious algal blooms in the past, but have put in nutrient sinks to reduce the inflow of fertiliser run off, to great success. It’s not fool proof, and we do have to contend with the low funding available for this, but I think getting rid of the cow paddock and turf farm at the eastern end of LBG would be a start.
I reiterate my previous comments from an earlier article; Drain it, remove the high nutrient sediment, make the lake deeper, close dam and allow refilling. You may even be able to put in some sort of mitigation measure while the lake is empty.
It looks as if the swan is made of rubber and it is dissolving in the green as it swims. Soon it will be a little black duck.
Thumper said :
So I’ve come to understand. I don’t have a leg to stand on now. But there’s always the British Smile, I can still get some mileage out of that one.
SnapperJack said :
Firstly, and foremost, restrict nutrients getting into the lake, ie fertilizers, leaf litter, etc.
Insert “greening initiative” joke here.
DrKoresh said :
When I lived in London as a kid the Thames was a putrid stinking tidal cesspool.
Today it is once again a beautiful and stunning river.
Stinger said :
Yes, but what *can* be done about it? To get rid of the algae you would have to spray chemicals on it which would kill the fish and other wildlife. We are caught between a rock and a hard place.
Thumper said :
Expending scarce resources on cleaning the lake would detract from more worthwhile activities like banning thin plastic bags at the supermarket so that they can be replaced by slightly thicker plastic bags. Or building wildly popular “art” works like the giant penis-bird on Belconnen Way.
Who cares that grown men can walk on the surface of the lake due to the presence of this attractively green and no doubt reasonably harmless sludge? I just sleep more peacefully at night knowing that all the shopping trolleys at the Kaleen Supabarn are safely corralled away in their stalls due to the efforts of the local government and the shopping trolley police.
The above image provides a very humorous counterpoint to previous discussions on the algae issue, especially the current Solarbee trial.
I used to make fun of my English mates for that semi-solid “river” they call the Thames. I guess I should hold my tongue now.
Stinger said :
Exactly. It’s simply not good enough that the lake is now a slowly moving body of toxic sludge wandering through the heart of the capital.
We need to keep carping on about it till something is done about it. LBG is a magnificent recreational asset for Canberra, it should be maintained to swimming quality!