Lonehill Dam swaps green for red as new weed moves in
The dam was finally clearing up its green blanket of Kariba weed, when a new invader, red fern crept in. Is the dam facing another colourful battle?
Lonehill Dam has been going through a bit of a colourful makeover. Just weeks after the green, choking Kariba weed was finally brought under control, a new invader, red fern, has crept onto the scene, turning concern into déjà vu for local officials and residents.
The nine-week course, which started in May, to clear the water of Kariba weed using eco granules had shown real promise. “The Kariba weed was pretty much under control,” said Ward 94 councillor David Foley. “But we’ve got a new breed of weed, called red fern, that has decided to show its face here.”
Once murky and green, the dam had recently become clearer, with fish and bird life returning and families beginning to look forward to a more inviting spring by the water, but now, with this fresh burst of weed growth, the dam’s changing shades are raising fresh questions, and a bit of eyebrow-raising humour from residents.
Also read: Lonehill Dam Kariba weed clean-up shows promising progress
If the dam has gone from green to red, is it headed for orange next?
Foley, however, isn’t laughing. He said he’s re-engaged Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, who previously brought in amphibious harvesters, to assess what can be done about the red fern.
He’s also reached out to eco-tab specialists, to investigate whether their purification methods can take on this new botanical challenge.
Also read: Kariba weed came, saw, but didn’t conquer Lonehill Dam
Despite the setback, optimism remains. “The dam is quite clear, with an abundance of fish and bird life. As soon as we get this under control, and with summer on its way, we’re looking forward to spending a lot of time at the Lonehill Dam.”
For now, Lonehill dam continues to change with the seasons and with the weeds. Whether it’s green, red or something in between, the battle for balance in this beloved water body rolls on.
City Parks’ Noelene Mattera was reached out to for comment, and we will update as soon as it becomes available.
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