Unstead Wetland Reserve

The surface had more foam than usual and what looks like threadlike mats of brown algae. The phosphate reading also seems high (0.3) and nitrate (4). This could be due to having been intentionally dropping water levels in the new scrapes and barrowing in some shingle (so some ground disturbance).

Small amount of clear foam on water surface, but water clear and plenty of healthy plantlife.

Fewer pond plants than in the summer/autumn

There were a few pond plants near to the exit pipe and beneath the dam. A small amount of foam (bubbles) collected around the some of the pond plants.

Some bubbles were caused by the water flowing over the small dam. Pond plants could be seen beneath, and at the surface, of the water. There were nettles on either side of the bank, in front of the tower where the water leaves the wetland reserve.

There was a good flow of water over the dam in front of the red brick tower (exit point). The red brick tower now has a pitched roof (built by Stuart & UWCG volunteers) , covered with roofing felt, to provide a home for bats. The sample is now (from today) being taken a couple of feet away from the previous location, between the dam and exit tower, where the water collects before leaving the reserve. There are some pond plants where the water collects but it is not particularly congested. About a month ago the water level in the East Lagoon was lowered to allow for the cutting back of willow. Water was allowed to re-enter the East Lagoon eight days ago. This might have impacted on today's tests.

Where the sample was taken the water was fairly still but close by the outflow from the reserve was steady. There are plenty of pond plants both above and below the surface of the water but not too many around the sampling point.

Dense coverage of aquatic plants & stinging nettles on/close to the pond/lagoon bank side. There is a reed bed between the exit point and the slightly more open water where the sample was taken. Water flowing into the exit point is a mixture of water that has been filtered through either multiple reed beds or just a single reed bed.

Fair bit of pond/freshwater growing vegetation was visible, most of it below the surface of the water