Waterweed in the Baldeneysee

Green carpets on the Baldeneysee Anyone looking at the Baldeneysee these days will have already discovered these spots. The excessive growth of Elodea, a Waterweed Art is considered the cause of the unexpected green on the water. The green carpets are particularly well visible from the Hardenberg embankment and, of course, from the water. The good weather in May is said to have favored the growth of waterweed, according to Ruhrverband, the Essen water management company. However, not everyone is happy about its spread.

Because for the Water sports On the lake, the plants are a real problem. Almost all water sports enthusiasts on the lake are affected: canoeists, rowers, sailors. Once caught, boat parts get tangled. Without outside help, swimming free is almost impossible. This happened at the end of May when the oars of an experienced rower got caught in the snake-like aquatic plants and the rowing boat capsized. The girl reported afterwards that the waterweed had wrapped around her legs and she had the feeling of being pulled down. Swimming out of the waterweed patch was impossible. The rower clung to her boat until the German Life Saving Society, or DLRG for short, came to the rescue.

The German Junior Rowing Championships (U23, U19, and U17), scheduled to take place from June 23rd to 26th, 2016, on the Baldeneysee, were cancelled due to an Elodea infestation on the Baldeneysee and moved to Hamburg. Siegfried Kaidel, Chairman of the German Rowing Federation, commented: “We all regret that rowing cannot take place in Essen. This is unfortunate for everyone involved and will result in additional costs. However, no one can control the whims of nature.” According to the Ruhrverband, the invasive waterweed has been present in large numbers in the Ruhr reservoirs Hengsteysee, Harkortsee, and Kemnader See since 2000. The Baldeneysee has also been affected since 2008.

Last year, the waterweed patches were significantly reduced by mowing, much to the delight of water sports enthusiasts. This year, however, nothing seems to be happening in this regard. According to the company's website, Ruhrverband is focusing on long-term, sustainable measures for biological Elodea population control in the interest of water sports enthusiasts. To this end, they released roach in 2002, fish that feed, among other things, on waterweed.