Southampton Common boating lake 'left to rot' and fish seen 'gasping for air'

Residents have been left appalled by the condition of Southampton Common Boating Lake, which is coated in a thick green layer of weed.

Sue Hill visited the lake last week to check on a family of geese.

She reported an "awful smell" that left her feeling sick and saw "hundreds of fish gasping for air".

She also raised concerns about the lack of Great Crested Newts and the welfare of three new coot chicks.

READ MORE: 'Stay out of the water' - Warning over toxic algae that killed young dog

She said: "I went by the lake and found hundreds of fish gasping for air.

"I heard from another cyclist that birds were struggling in the lake and it had been reported but nothing has been done.

"The smell is awful and it made me feel sick this evening as I wanted to check on the family of geese.

"I don't understand why this lake is left to rot. It's such a shame because it's a lovely lake to sit by and chill."

Southampton Common Ornamental Lake. Photos by Sue Hill.

Sue contacted Southampton City Council but said she "hasn't heard anything back".

Another resident also reported seeing birds struggling in the water.

The local authority has confirmed the grim-looking layer is blanket weed rather than blue-green algae.

The latter, which was recently spotted in Testwood Lakes, was behind the death of a swan, named locally as Missy, and one of her cygnets in the summer of 2019.

READ MORE: Lake is fenced off and another swan dies from contamination

Missy was found "extremely unwell" on the lake and was put to sleep by the RSPCA.

Missy's partner died a few months later in January 2020.

Fish in Southampton Common Boating Lake. By Sue Hill.

A spokesperson from Southampton City Council said: “The Boating Lake on the Common, as well as other ponds in the city, have been checked and there is no evidence of blue-green algae.

"What people may be seeing is blanket weed, a common type of pond algae. 

“The Boating Lake is drained annually to remove excess nutrients, so there are no fish in this lake.

"Yesterday, however, as part of the checks, we did spot a family of young coots which seemed to be happy.

“To reduce the likelihood of algal blooms in the future, we are asking people to restrict duck feeding to the specific area at Cemetery Lake only and to not allow dogs in any of the lakes.

"This is because they stir up the silt reducing oxygen levels in the water which are already low due to the warm weather.

"We will continue to monitor the area and if evidence of blue-green algae arises, we will secure the ponds to prevent people and animals coming into contact with the water.” 

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