published7. August 2022, 19:38
Bielersee Huge seaweed island in front of Täuffelen BE hinders boat traffic
Last summer’s flooding and lots of sunshine this year favor seagrass growth. A meter-thick green carpet has formed in front of Täuffelen.
The floods in the summer of 2021 and the clear water this year favor seagrass growth. (icon picture)
IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
Authorities are now hoping a storm will break up the crowd and solve the problem naturally. (icon picture)
IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
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A huge carpet of seaweed has formed in front of the Täuffelen harbor entrance.
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The island makes it difficult for boats to enter and exit.
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The floods in the summer of 2021 and the clear water this year favor seagrass growth.
An unusual sight has been occupying the authorities of Täuffelen-Gerolfingen (BE) on the southern shore of Lake Biel for several weeks: the seaweed has multiplied so much that a kind of floating island has formed in front of the town’s harbor entrance. The meter-thick carpet is “a danger to life and limb,” said Mayor Adrian Hutzli «Berner Zeitung» worried: “If a surfer or stand-up paddler gets in there and falls into the water: will she come out again?” In addition, the island could affect shipping if the wind shifts it. “It’s not just a problem for Täuffelen,” says Hutzli. He therefore contacted the canton.
About a month ago, the mayor noticed the first strong blooms of seaweed in the port. The plants could be collected and disposed of by a farmer. After that, however, a new island developed a little further out, which made it difficult for boats to enter and exit. The mass could be divided last weekend, which made navigation easier. However, Adrian Hutzli believes that the seaweed will continue to spread.
“You’ve never seen a carpet like this before,” says Michael Salchli from Nautic Wasserbau, a company that specializes in bank maintenance. In the “Berner Zeitung” he explains: “The lake is particularly clear this year”, and because the light penetrates deeper into the lake, plants grow “in places where there weren’t any before”. In addition, the bottom of the lake still contains many nutrients from last year’s floods. Both promote the growth of algae and plants. Authorities are hoping for a thunderstorm soon so the wind and waves will break up the mass and solve the problem naturally.
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