Stourport canal system turns bright green with residents concerned it could be mistaken for grass
Footage shows how a West Midlands canal network has turned bright green.
A historic West Midlands town’s canal network has been turned bright green by a thick carpet of duckweed.
The normally clear waters around Stourport-on-Severn's Basin have been transformed into a swamp-like state.
Recent high temperatures and rainfall have caused the duckweed in the Worcestershire town to rapidly bloom.
Photographs show dozens of narrow boats moored side by side, surrounded by a green blanket.
Though harmless in small amounts, large volumes of duckweed can prevent oxygen from entering the water, creating a suffocating layer across the surface.
Canal and River Trust
The Canal and River Trust highlighted the challenges posed by duckweed, exacerbated by climate change and nutrient runoff from intense rainfall.
Despite spending thousands annually to manage it, the trust struggles to keep up with the rapid growth rate of duckweed.
A spokesperson said: "The proliferation of weed in summer isn’t new, but the hotter weather and fiercer storms that are becoming more common as a result of climate change are making the problem worse.
"Weed likes high temperatures, along with plenty of rain that washes nutrient from the surrounding area into the waterways."
Town residents have expressed concerns the bright green water could be mistaken for grass.
Gerald Thomas, 45, said: “It’s a crazy colour at the moment. It’s happened before but never to this extent.
“When you see the colour of the water it could easily be mistaken for grass.
“There have been suggestions for signs to be put up to alert visitors and tourists to the dangers to stop them walking on top of it.”
