Leipzig (dpa/sn) - A major cleanup is announced on Leipzig's Karl-Heine-Canal: From next Monday, two mowing boats are to remove underwater plants in the water, as the city of Leipzig announced on Tuesday. "The strong growth of plants and algae, favored by the warm weather and the corresponding water temperatures, makes the herbs necessary," said Leipzig's environmental mayor Heiko Rosenthal. The measure serves to maintain and improve the water management and natural features of the river.
The aquatic plants are mowed over a width of five meters about 1.6 meters below the water surface. The clippings are transported to the shore with a transport raft. The biomass can drip off and any remaining aquatic insects have the chance to get back into the water. The material is collected at central transhipment points and then recycled.
The work between the Nonnenbrücke and the Lindenauer Hafen in the west of the city should last until August 16th. The Karl Heine Canal is around 3.3 kilometers long and connects the Lindenau harbor with the Weißen Elster.
