A reservoir is set to be fully drained as part of a project to remove tonnes of litter from its waters.
Large volumes of rubbish are believed to have built up on the bed of Welsh Harp Reservoir - which offers a natural open space between Brent and Barnet.
Its owner the Canal and River Trust says that major works will be taken place to improve “one of the capital’s most important urban wildlife spaces” after issues were identified during a 2021 inspection.
It estimates that the clean-up, which is set to start towards the end of October, will be carried out for five months.
During this time essential repairs will take place including fixing the chains and rods that operate the reservoir’s sluices and repainting the Valve House Tower.
A fish rescue operation will also be carried out while the water is drained and volunteers clear out the rubbish.
The trust says that the draining will begin from October 30 and contractor Rothens will remove debris from November 1 to November 3.
Volunteer clean-up events will take place on November 10 and November 22.
Ros Daniels, director for London & South East, explains: “The Welsh Harp, with Brent Reservoir at its heart, is one of London's most significant urban wild spaces. We are planning to carry out these essential statutory repairs to the reservoir's structures over the winter months so as not to impact nesting birds, including great crested grebes.
“The reservoir will remain open to the public throughout the works, but signs will be up warning people not to walk onto the reservoir's drained area and mud.
“Sadly we are expecting to see a lot of rubbish again when the reservoir is fully drained, just as we did back in January 2021, when we partially drained the reservoir to inspect the dam and Valve House.
“We’d like to work with volunteers and our partners to take the opportunity to clear as much of the rubbish that will be revealed as possible, and we are planning to launch a crowd funding campaign to help support that work.”
It is hoped that £15,000 will be raised to help fund the operation, at the moment of publication £505 has been publicly raised.
To donate to the crowd funder, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-us-with-the-welsh-harp-brent-clean-up?utm_source=p
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