GLASGOW District Council chiefs have closed Hogganfield Loch because
of concerns for safety after three mounds of mud appeared on the
surface.
Visitors to the loch yesterday, who took just a fleeting glance at the
mounds, could be excused for believing that a descendant of the
much-vaunted Loch Ness monster had perhaps flown its lair in the north
of Scotland to hang its hat nearer Glasgow.
However, the council's parks and recreation department is not treating
the mysterious appearance of the mounds lightly. It has posted notices
warning the public to keep off. The council has also banned boat hire
and suspended daily motor launch sailings pending an investigation.
A council spokesman dismissed a report that the mounds had been caused
by a build-up of poisonous methane gas in old mineworkings which are
said to have existed in the area. He said officials had removed samples.
He said it was more likely the problem was similar to one which had
existed at Lanark Loch for more than 15 years. The matter had been
discussed with experts from Clyde River Purification Board who had
constantly monitored the situation at Lanark. Board officials will visit
Hogganfield next week.
Dr Andrew Haig, the board's chief scientist, explained yesterday that
problems at Lanark Loch had resulted from a quite natural thick, matted
fibrous mass of roots from vegetation rising to the surface.
The process occurred after organic matter in the bed of the loch
decayed, causing the natural gases, methane and carbon dioxide, to lift
a peaty growth of roots from the loch bed to the surface.
Lanark Loch was closed for almost a year because of fears that
children using boats could be involved in an accident after hitting one
of the mounds.
The council's main fear at Hogganfield, he said, was that people using
the loch may step from vessels on to the surface of the mounds, which at
Lanark had been like ''giant floating sponges''.
Dr Haig said no effluent discharge would result and the water quality
was likely to remain good in the loch, which has been a haven for
birdlife for many years. It was his view that a build-up of poisonous
methane gas in old mineworkings under the loch bed
at Hogganfield was ''most unlikely''.
He added: ''We are really talking about a natural event which is
probably more pronounced in the summer giving rise to this fibrous
material lifting off the bed and appearing on the surface.''
The council spokesman, meanwhile, said facilities at Hogganfield Loch
would remain closed for at least another week until the result of the
investigation was known.
Mr Edward Lynas, 50, of Ruchazie, who occasionally visits the loch
with his grandson, said he was concerned to learn of the possibility
that methane gases could be the cause of the problem. He called on the
council to investigate the matter immediately.
His views were echoed by Mr Tom Clark, who has lived in the Lochview
Estate overlooking the loch since 1982. ''It is the first I have heard
of any problems,'' he said. ''I hope the council can solve the problem
quickly because the loch is a very popular attraction, especially on a
fine day.''
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