Canal and River Trust · Powys · 19th September, 2023
Canal Maintenance and Habitat Management
Weed cutting and algae clearance to restore a SSSI canal and improve habitat for wildlife.
Maintaining an Overgrown Canal for the Canal and River Trust
This disused section of canal in Powys requires regular maintenance to keep water flowing and maintain a healthy habitat for wildlife. Sections of the canal are designated SSSI and the canal features many sections that contain protected species of plants and wildlife.
Where canals are no longer used by boats, regular maintenance remains important. Without the movement of vessels and routine management, aquatic vegetation, reeds, silt and encroaching trees can quickly take hold, restricting water flow and accelerating the deterioration of the channel. Periodic clearance helps preserve these historic waterways, maintain drainage and water management, and protect the habitats and landscapes they support.
SSSIs, Protected Species and Habitat Protection
Although the primary aim of the work was to control vegetation and maintain water flow through the channel, protecting wildlife and the valuable habitat provided by the canal was equally important. The Aquaclear team remained mindful of protected species throughout the project, working closely to the ecological maps provided and staying vigilant for wildlife that may not have been identified during earlier surveys. While the machines operated on the water, banksmen walked the towpath ahead of the works, keeping watch for protected species and other wildlife. Habitat margins were also retained along both sides of the canal, ensuring areas of established vegetation remained undisturbed and continued to provide valuable refuge and habitat.
The Work Itself
Over the course of several weeks, the Aquaclear team cleared many miles of disused canal, working progressively along the waterway and adapting to the challenges presented by a system that is no longer continuously navigable. Where possible, the Truxor machines made use of the original locks to move between sections, while modern roads, culverts and other obstructions sometimes required the machines to leave the water and be repositioned further along the canal.
By the end of the project, extensive stretches of heavily overgrown waterway had been reopened, restoring a much clearer channel through the landscape. The work improved water movement and helped preserve the function and condition of the wider canal system, while retaining important areas of habitat along its margins. For walkers and other users of the towpath, the clearance also revealed more of the historic waterway, creating a more open and attractive environment in which the canal can once again be appreciated as a prominent feature of the landscape.
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