Waterweed in the Baldeneysee

Green carpets on the Baldeneysee Anyone who's been looking at the Baldeneysee waterway these days will have already spotted these patches. The excessive growth of Elodea, a type of waterweed, is considered the cause of the unexpected green on the water. The green carpets are particularly visible from the Hardenberg shore and, of course, from the water itself. The good weather in May is said to have favored the growth of the waterweed, according to the Ruhrverband, the Essen water management company. But not everyone is happy about its spread.

For water sports enthusiasts on the Baldeneysee, the plants pose a real problem. Almost all water sports enthusiasts on the Baldeneysee are affected: canoeists, rowers, and sailors. Once caught in the weeds, boat parts become entangled. Swimming free without assistance is virtually impossible. This happened at the end of May when the oars of an experienced rower became entangled in the tangled aquatic plants, causing her rowboat to capsize. The girl later reported that the waterweed had wrapped itself around her legs, making her feel as if she were being pulled under. Swimming out of the waterweed patch was impossible. The rower clung to her boat until the German Lifesaving Association (DLRG) arrived to rescue her.

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.