|
Post by jomike on Mar 29, 2010 22:20:12 GMT 2
we have being to roda for 8 years and we have always had fantastic holidays. but our one concern is the state of the two streams that flow into the sea .the first stream above the harbour bar smells constantly of rotting seaweed (in june) .the bottom stream near aphrodite is always full of pond weed. we do not think this is a good impression for first time holiday makers .we would like to know who is responsible for the upkeep of these streams.
|
|
|
Post by artisans on Mar 30, 2010 8:50:17 GMT 2
Hi jomike - the first thing to say is that Roda's two main streams are clear & clean and the only 'contamination' we have ever seen is the very black water that washes down from one of the many olive presses further inland. The smell is wonderful (if you like olives) and occurs mainly at this time of year. I said recently that I really don't know what type of seaweed it is that we get here, except that is quite different from anything I have seen in the UK. It is generally quite inert and smell-free, but the unused area between the harbour & the bridge is where the greatest summer accumulation is. Depending on tides & winds, there is occasionally a slight odour. It is quite harmless. As the shifting sands are changing every year, especially with the new harbour bridge, the sandbank here is definitely growing. Every year, it is the council's job to clear the beaches of seaweed and logs and they will be starting soon. As this new sandbank gets firmer, perhaps they will be more able to get on to it to keep it clear as well. Who knows, Andreas might have sunbeds there one of these days! The accumulation this year has been particularly great and some of the deepest amounts are in front of the Afrodite. They will all be gone soon. Once the council have cleared the beach, it is down to the individual license holders to keep their sections clear. The stream by the Afrodite is much slower flowing and deeper too. It is home to both types of terrapins, which is very unusual, and it is full of 'kefalo' - the flat-headed mullet that everyone fishes for. The flow stops in mid-summer and the water does become stagnant, but many of these weeds only survive in relatively clean water, as does the wild life. It becomes a bit like a garden pond. Both streams are affected by tides and winds and are brackish over the last few metres. Just think of the thousands of visitors who have derived endless pleasure from watching the wildlife from the bridge. It's all quite natural. These are two photos of the streams taken within the last nine days:
|
|
|
Post by johnofish on Mar 30, 2010 11:16:25 GMT 2
Hi Jomike, first, the sea weed,or sea grass as it is more commonly known. The smell from this is the breaking down of the iodine and salts in the grass as it dries out. This sea grass is found all around the Med and I've never seen it anywhere else. It obviously thrives in warm water and is more suited to locations with very small tidal rise/fall. Weed around the UK tends to be of the Kelp or Wrack types wich are suited to the tidal range we have. The ''stagnant'' look of the streams is actually a vital part of the life cycle of many animals that depend on these ''seasonal'' waterways.The bacteria produced by the weed feeds microscopic animals and plants which in turn attract larger insects wich are fed upon by the frogs,mullet,terrapins and birds. To 'clean-up' this weed would be a death sentance for many of the animals that we so look forwards to seeing when visiting Roda. I live 80m from a beach and I love the smell, but then I also like the smell of manure in the spring as I know my rhubarb will soon be ready to turn into wine!!Hope this answers some of your questions, Johno
|
|
|
Post by sthelenssaint on Mar 30, 2010 19:12:55 GMT 2
you should have been there in oct .the river that flows into the sea below the harbour was near to overflowing ,outside theodores apts . john
|
|
|
Post by jomike on Mar 30, 2010 22:40:21 GMT 2
hi first of all we thank you for your comments and explanations of the smells.we never questioned or mentioned that the streams were not running clean water.we know ourselves of the wildlife that live and depend on the clean flow of water in the steams.
|
|
|
Post by spanisheyes on Mar 31, 2010 19:57:20 GMT 2
It will be good to see the fireflys when we come in May around the stream next to Makris
|
|