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Water Soldier (East of Granby Lane, Plungar 2009)
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Norfolk Reed and Water Soldier
Water Soldier
Norfolk Reed
For many years the invasive reed, Phragmites Australis (also known as Norfolk or Common Reed) has been allowed to choke the canal. Without measures to control it, Norfolk Reed reduces the flow of water and oxygen content and the depth of the canal is diminished below the level required to support a healthy population of fish and other wildlife. It spreads at the expense of other rare species and habitats and is particularly prevalent in the 4 mile stretch of the Canal between Harby and Redmile.
Reed causes more silt to be deposited and, in places, the canal has become so shallow that mudbanks have started to appear, separating stagnant pools of odourous, algae-covered water. To allow the water to flow, and oxygen levels to be maintained, a channel through nearly 3 miles of reed needs to be kept permanently clear.
Water Soldier
Water Soldier looks very much like a spider plant and rises to the surface after growing in the bed of the canal. It is a common garden pond plant which can devastate the natural balance of plants and animals in the canal. Control work is expensive and time-consuming and may take many years. It also diverts precious time and funding away from the main task of maintaining and improving the Grantham Canal.
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