Paddington Arm, Grand Union Canal (Kensal Road Stretch)
Photos taken between 5:06pm and 5:44pm
A dramatic return of duckweed
View from Ladbroke Grove Bridge looking West
A striking change in surface conditions was recorded at Ladbroke Grove Bridge, where extensive mats of floating vegetation. A broad layer of pale-green vegetation extended across most of the visible water, with particularly dense accumulations along the canal margins.
View from Ladbroke Grove Bridge looking East
A broad layer of pale-green vegetation extended across most of the visible water, with particularly dense accumulations along the canal margins. Accumulations are especially noticeable along the sheltered margins and near the pedestrian bridge.
click to enlarge image
A substantial accumulation of floating vegetation, believed to be duckweed, was observed across Queen’s Park Canalside. Large, connected mats covered significant areas of the canal. contrasting sharply with earlier photographs showing predominantly open water.
Shows extensive duckweed around the moored boats and along the residential bank. The vegetation forms a mixture of connected mats and smaller, scattered patches.
This shows widespread duckweed coverage of the three views. Large, irregular mats occupy much of the canal, particularly along the left-hand side. Narrower areas of exposed water remain through the centre and towards the right-hand bank.
This shows an almost continuous carpet of pale-green floating vegetation, consistent with duckweed, extending across most of the canal. Coverage is particularly dense beneath the overhanging willow and along the residential bank
The canal is almost entirely covered by a dense, pale-green layer of floating vegetation, consistent with duckweed. Only small, irregular gaps reveal the darker water beneath. The coverage is particularly dense beneath the overhanging willow and along the residential bank.
This shows a more uneven distribution. Dense duckweed covers much of the water beside the residential bank, while larger, irregular openings reveal the darker surface towards the foreground and opposite bank.
This photo shows a slightly different distribution. A substantial mat extends along the residential bank and into the centre of the canal, while a broad, irregular area of exposed water remains closer to the opposite bank.
The duckweed is concentrated along the right-hand bank and are extensive, irregular mats extend towards the centre of the canal. Smaller, more dispersed patches are visible in the foreground and across the open water. The left-hand side retains a relatively clear channel extending into the distance. This uneven distribution may reflect the influence of wind, boat movements or local water circulation.
View from Ha'Penny Bridge looking East
The eastern view shows a mixture of exposed water and irregular mats of pale-green duckweed.The vegetation is particularly concentrated in the foreground and around the moored boats on the right-hand side. Farther along the canal, larger areas of open water remain visible.
View from Ha'Penny Bridge looking West
The western view shows more extensive coverage, with a broad, almost continuous layer of duckweed occupying much of the foreground and extending towards the centre of the canal. The duckweed is particularly dense in the foreground, where only small, irregular openings reveal the darker water beneath.
While duckweed is a natural part of freshwater ecosystems, such extensive coverage raises questions about its potential effects on sunlight penetration and dissolved oxygen levels.
Overall Visual Assessment: Based solely on these visual observations...
| Indicator | Observation | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Water colour | Natural / expected | ● Excellent |
| Water clarity | Moderate | ▲ Fair |
| Water movement | Very stagnant | ■ Poor |
| Floating litter | None | ● Excellent |
| Surface pollution | Significant | ■ Poor |
| Algae / floating vegetation coverage | Extensive — more than 75% | ✖ Very Poor |
| Wildlife activity | N/A – none observed | ✖ Very Poor |
| Oil / foam | None | ● Excellent |
| Bank vegetation | Healthy / abundant | ● Excellent |
Waterway appears to be in very poor visual condition. Some signs of environmental pressure or deterioration are present and should be monitored.