It’s the Ouse… and the OOZE! York’s OTHER famous waterway the River Foss turns GREEN due to quick-growing duckweed
- York city residents have watched the River Foss turn completely green due to quick-growing duckweed
- Environment Agency experts say the weed thrives in slow flowing, nutrient-rich rivers like the ancient river
- River Foss Society members say fish are struggling to breathe due to dangerously low levels of oxygen
An ancient river flowing through a city centre has turned completely green after being covered in a fast-growing weed.
At first glance the spaces between the houses in the city of York look as if they have been grassed over.
However the green passageways are actually parts of the ancient River Foss which has become completely covered in millions of tiny duckweed leaves.
Experts at the Environment Agency say the sight is down to the plan thriving in ‘slow flowing and nutrient-rich rivers’ such as the River Foss.
The ancient River Foss has turned completely green after becoming covered in a fast-growing weed
Experts at the Environment Agency say the sight is down to the plan thriving in ‘slow flowing and nutrient-rich rivers’ such as the River Foss
A spokesperson said: ‘It is a common duckweed and it’s naturally occurring.
‘It’s quite a common sight at this time of the year.
‘It’s also not toxic or harmful to wildlife, so it shouldn’t be a concern at all.’
The Royal Horticultural Society says the free-floating aquatic perennials multiply rapidly and fill any open surface of water unless regularly cleared, forming a ‘green carpet’ on the surface of the water.
The Environment Agency has said that duckweed is ‘not a sign of pollution’ and it is usually flushed away when rainfall increases and flow of the river improves.
The Royal Horticultural Society says the free-floating aquatic perennials multiply rapidly and fill any open surface of water unless regularly cleared, forming a ‘green carpet’ on the surface of the water
However, members of the River Foss Society have warned that the ‘carpet’ of duckweed is causing ‘a dangerously low level’ of oxygen in the water.
The group said Yorkshire Water has reported ‘the presence of both dead fish and others struggling to breath on the surface around Foss Islands Road, as well as in several other places’.
The group posted images on their social media showing four large pumps operated by the Environment Agency shooting jets of water into the river upstream to increase flow.
Members of the River Foss Society have warned that the ‘carpet’ of duckweed is causing ‘a dangerously low level’ of oxygen in the water
‘The EA is to be commended for their rapid response to what could have become a very serious issue,’ they added.
York Council workers have been called out this week to try to clear the duckweed from the river.
It can be treated with a chemical herbicide, but this often uses up a lot of the oxygen in the water and can cause fish and other aquatic species to die.
The River Foss is a tributary of the River Ouse and has been used since Romans times for transporting goods.
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