Aims
- To increase awareness and active participation in the conservation of open water habitats.
- To improve the quality of open water habitats in the borough where appropriate.
- To promote the creation or re-instatement of ponds or areas of open water.
Introduction
Open water comprises all areas of fresh water with little or no dominant flow. These include both natural systems, such as lakes, and man-made structures such as reservoirs, filter-beds and ponds. All these water bodies can provide important habitat for birds, fish, amphibians and invertebrates, as well as aquatic and wetland plant species.
Over the years many natural and man-made ponds have been lost due to in-filling, or their value has been damaged or destroyed as a result of pollution and eutrophication. At the same time new water-bodies have been created through the construction of reservoirs and sewage works and digging for sand and gravel. These areas are readily colonised by wildlife and can rapidly provide a natural-looking and diverse habitat.
Waltham Forest is fortunate in having a concentration of reservoirs on its western boundary. These account for the bulk of the area of open standing water in the borough. Other open water consists of a small number of ponds (ponds in private gardens included in the Gardens Habitat Action Plan) and filter beds.
Current Status
The largest areas of open water in the borough comprise the ten Walthamstow Reservoirs, now owned and operated by Thames Water. Located between Coppermill Lane in the south and the North Circular Road in the north, the reservoirs, except for Lockwood Reservoir which was constructed later, were built between 1853 and 1904.
The reservoirs vary in their size and structure, and in the types of adjacent terrestrial habitat, which includes grassland, reedbeds and wooded islands. This range of habitats support nationally and internationally important populations of wetland bird species, many of which breed on the reservoir sites. One of the largest heronries in Britain is located in the central group of five reservoirs.
Banbury Reservoir lies to the north of the Walthamstow Reservoirs, between the Flood Relief Channel and Folly Lane. Designated a Site of Borough Importance, use of the site for sailing limits its value for wildlife, but the open water, marginal, and adjacent terrestrial vegetation provides habitat for some bird species, and waterfowl, such as coot, moorhen, mallard and heron use the reservoir.
Much smaller, Hollow Pond on Leyton Flats, is the next largest area of open water in the borough. Located close to Whipps Cross Road, the pond is a popular attraction with the public, who use it for boating, fishing and relaxation. Its convoluted edges give it an unusual appearance and provide small, relatively undisturbed bays where waterfowl can escape oars and wake of novice rowers. Several wooded islands present within the pond provide additional refuges for wildlife. Apart from a few embankments which support small communities of reeds and wetland species, the pond edges are completely bare of vegetation due to excessive trampling.
A smaller, and less disturbed pond is located nearby next to Snaresbrook Road. Formerly a bathing pool, West Pond is surrounded by dense stands of grey willow (Salix cinerea) scrub, and edged by beds of reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima), with great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), and gipsywort (Lycopus europaeus).
Higham's Park Lake was created in 1794 at the suggestion of the landscape architect, Humphrey Repton, by widening the Ching Brook. Like Hollow Pond, the banks of the pond support no vegetation, being well-trampled and shaded in places by the surrounding Forest trees. Although few wetland species are present, yellow water-lily (Nuphar lutea) being one of them, the pond is popular with waterfowl, such as coot, moorhen, mallard and heron. Terrapins, originating from someone's aquarium, can also be spotted basking on logs. They can be a serious threat to water birds, as they take eggs.
Towards the north-eastern corner of the borough on Whitehall Plain, Warren Pond is another body of open water with well-trodden banks. It is, however, surrounded by trees and grassland, and supports a diversity of wetland species, including lesser reedmace (Typha angustifolia), reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima), great willowherb, water mint (Mentha aquatica), rushes and sedges. Marsh pennywort (Hydrocotyle umbellata) can be found here along with Marestail (Hippuris vulgaris) which is unusual for the area. Warren pond also has a good beetle assemblage.
15 other much smaller ponds can be found scattered throughout that part of Epping Forest which lies within the borough. Most of the ponds are rain or spring fed, thus are fairly clean. The water tends to be slightly acid. Bladderwort and great crested newts can be found in many of the ephemeral ponds in Epping Forest.
The Essex and Middlesex Filter beds, part of the Lea Valley SMI, lie to the south of Lea Bridge Road, and comprise areas of open water, a legacy of their former use, with a mixture of other habitat types. Now owned by the Lee Valley Park Regional Authority, the Middlesex Filter beds demonstrate how natural colonisation can quickly naturalise a site. Open to the public for a number of years, and the mixture of trees, scrub, tall herbs, grassland and open water with reedbeds (Phragmites communis) attract a large number of bird species and birdwatchers. The Essex Filter beds, opened to the public in 2002, have been the focus of concentrated conservation activity, which has created a large central hide from which it is possible to view all the areas of open water. A kingfisher nesting bank has also been built in one of the beds.
Also part of the SMI are the ditches that run along the west side of Walthamstow Marshes SSSI. These support a lush vegetation of aquatic and wetland species along their length, including common reed, reedmace (Typha latifolia), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), common water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica), great willowherb, galingale (Cyperus longus), duckweed (Lemna spp.), as well as the exotics, parrot's feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) and water fern (Azolla filiculoides). Dragonflies and damselflies are frequent along the ditches in the summer months. Of great interest are the water voles that inhabit the ditches. Protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, water voles have declined dramatically due to loss of habitat and are now endangered.
Specific factors affecting the Habitat
Conflicts between recreational use and wildlife resource
High levels of recreational use, especially around Warren Pond and Connaught Water has caused damage to edge habitats, resulting in some cases in total erosion of vegetation on the pond edge. Dogs, people and litter disturbs wildlife. Feeding of ducks causes enrichment, and a risk of botulism.
Water quality
There has been a general decline in water quality through pollution and eutrophication.
Bankside management
Lack of management has lead to scrub encroachment and succession, with loss of wetland habitat.
Problem Species
Excess fish from households and the introduction of fish for sporting purposes has caused overstocking which destroys the ecology of ponds. Alien pond weeds have been introduced, sometimes accidentally. These include Hydrocotyle ranunculoides, and parrots feather.
Deliberate introduction of crayfish has happened in several ponds, and red eared terrapins can be found in many.
Careless angling practices
Discarded hooks, and heavy lines which do not break easily, and discarded litter can be life threatening to caught species. Overfeeding of bait decreases the oxygen levels within the ponds.
Current Action
Legal Status
The reservoirs, along with the Chingford Reservoirs further to the north, are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and form part of the Special Protection Area designated under the EU Habitats Directive.
Most of the open water in the borough is designated as part of either an SMI or SBI. Designation of Sites of Metropolitan, Borough and Local Importance highlights the value of sites and their need for protection, it affords no legal protection. The borough Unitary Development Plan (UDP) is the means whereby planning control can protect sites from development, or limit damage.
Key Species
Birds - kingfisher, heron, coot, moorhen, mandarin duck
Mammals - water vole, bats
Invertebrates - black-tailed skimmer, ruddy darter, 4 bodied chaser
Plants- marsh dock, purple loosestrife, bladderwort, skullcap, flowering rush
Amphibians - great crested newt
Objectives, actions and targets
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collate existing species data for open water bodies | 2003 | GLA | NC/TPO |
| Survey benthos at Warren pond | 2006 | C of L | |
| Identify deficiencies in existing data | 2005 | WFBAPP | C of L, TW |
| Undertake relevant surveys (botanical, fish, bird, amphibian, invertebrate) | 2005 | C of L, LVRP, EA | |
| Survey water quality | On going | C of L, LVRP, EA, TW | |
| Survey levels of silt and encroachment | Yearly | C of L LVRP | LBWF |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discourage detrimental activities such as fish/duck feeding and introduction of species, through liaison, on site signage etc | 2003 | C of L, LVRP NC/TPO | |
| Identify sources of pollution and prevent reoccurrences | 2005 | EA, TW | C of L |
| Ensure conservation works for ponds are programmed into management plans | 2005 | C of L, LVRP LBWF |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify areas where there is a deficiency of open water bodies | 2004 | WFBAPP | |
| Identify potential sites for the re-creation/creation of open water (involving public consultation) | 2004 | WFBAPP | |
| Identify funding to support work | 2005 | WFBAPP | LRT |
| Create two new open water bodies in deficient areas | 2006 | LBWF | C of L, LVRP |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publicise and involve public in improvement works | 2004 | BTCV, LA21 | LVRP, LRT |
| To produce or distribute information and educational materials promoting the value of open water habitats and highlighting how people can help conserve these habitats | 2005 | TW | LRT C of L, LVRP |
| Produce code of practice for fishermen to be handed out with rod licence | 2004 | LA21 LRT |
WFBAPP |
| Promote pond action day | Yearly | WFBAPP | |
| Run at least 2 pond dipping activities/year | WFBAPP | C of L, EFCT Hawkwood LVRP |
|
| Put HAP on website | 2003 | LBWF |
