by Geoff Fox
What started in June with the National Park Service clearing some of the vegetative growth in the C&O Canal basin is all but finished after the work of an aqua harvester brought to Hancock last week.
Former mayor and President of the Hancock Historical Society Dan Murphy had been in contact with the Park Service since raising the issue of the vegetation in the canal during the May town meeting.
Town officials had given Murphy permission to speak on their behalf regarding the clearing of the canal.
photo by Geoff Fox
Murphy’s argument was the fact the vegetation growing in the basin of the canal was not historically accurate with officials adding it would be economical for the town, it would also be a safety cleanup as well as the canal area had become stagnant, attracting mosquitos.
It took a crew from the Park Service about two days, using specialized equipment and hand removal to clear the canal, a spokesperson said. All vegetation taken out of the basin is composted.
The C&O Canal’s calm waters naturally support a variety of aquatic plants, of which seasonal growth is a normal part of a healthy waterway, park officials said.
The spokesperson said the park regularly monitors vegetation and uses different approaches, sometimes letting plants complete their life cycles, other times removing growth to keep the canal accessible and thriving.
“In Hancock, the park is watching both native white lilies (Nymphea odorata ssp. odorata) and the non-native sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera),” the spokesperson said.
The lotus bloomed with a creamy yellow flower.
Plant management follows federal and state best-practice guidelines.
The section of the canal from the bridge over the canal to the river to the Rt. 522 will remain untouched for now, but the spokesperson said the park will continue to monitor the Hancock area and may adjust if needed. Lily pads there are interspersed with bright pink flowers.
“Overall, plant growth in the canal is expected and the park works proactively to maintain a balanced, healthy environment,” they said.
Murphy said he saw the apparatus the day of the cleaning but hasn’t really looked yet at the canal.
He did say he was appreciative of the National Park Service for coming up and clearing the canal basin and hopes they’ll continue to monitor it a little closer moving forward.
