Download the Management Plan - Carlisle City Council

Talkin Tarn is a 65 acre (26 hectares) natural Tarn, glacial formed approx 10,000 years ago. It is
fed by two above ground inlet streams and it is believed also some underground springs although
there is little evidence to support this at present. A plan of water depths is located in the site
office. Over time, work has been undertaken on a add hoc basis to encourage marginal
vegetation. The biggest affect on this was the installation of a fence around the Tarn in 2002 to
prevent livestock from grassing at the Tarn edges. The lack of subsequent poaching from
livestock has allowed the vegetation to recover and spread. Some clumps of vegetation have
been transplanted to speed up this process. In 2007 common reed was transplanted from Siddick
Ponds in Workington with permission from Natural England and planted into wildlife bay. This
has taken well and is now beginning to spread and the individual clumps join together. The reed
has also had the effect of protecting the bank from the wave wash. The bank has then
subsequently silted up and started to grow further vegetation.
Talkin Tarn was surveyed as part of the Cumbria Tarns Project (2003-2009), initiated by
Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT) and the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) as part of
CWT’s Community Action for Wildlife programme. Aquatic macrophytes in Tarns are
indicators of the health not only of the waters themselves but also of their surrounding
environment. The health of a freshwater body is directly related to the state of its catchment and
this forms the basis for European legislation to protect freshwater systems, the Water Framework
Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC).
Canadian Pond Weed
This weed was introduced from North America at the end of the 19th century and rapidly spread
throughout the UK. It is a relatively common water plant in still waters in the UK. It can form
dense banks of weed that will block waterways and can re-grow vegetatively from any small
piece left after removal.
This is a common sight on the Tarn and comes and goes each year in various quantities. It is an
important food source for the wildfowl all year, but particularly in the winter when other food is
scarce. It is disliked by human water users for getting in the way of paddles, propellers and
rudders. The weed is only removed from areas urgently needing to be cleared for special events
such as the large annual rowing regatta. After periods of strong wind and resulting wave action
weed regularly washes up in the bays at the northern end of the Tarn. This can become unsightly
and smelly. This is removed by JCB at least twice a year (usually late autumn to remove leaf
drop at same time) and at other times by staff and volunteers. Ideally this weed should be
removed from site to try and reduce the nutrient levels in the Tarn which are adding to the
problems with blue green algae. Disturbing the weed through cutting and removal can break off
many small plant parts that can then re-grow potentially exacerbating the problem. Weed can
potentially be taken to Willowholme for adding to councils green waste pile. This is removed
twice/year by an approved green waste disposal company for the purpose of composting.
However this may involve double handling of weed and is not currently viable.
Action
Investigate methods for stock piling weed and transporting by approved contractor for
composting purposes.
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