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Blue-green algae are spreading. Once again the floodplain stinks. That's why the Fulda Canoe Club postponed its Hessentag events at short notice.
Fulda – Anyone who has been out and about at the Aueweiher in Fulda in the past few days has noticed: a green film stretches over parts of the water. Especially near the bank balcony and on the beach on the south bank, not only is the greasy substance noticeable, but it also smells unpleasant.
The members of the Fulda Canoe Club originally planned to hold their Hessentag program on the Aueweiher. But now, shortly before the state festival, the plan has changed. The Fulda Canoe Club contacted the health department a few days ago about the algae.
Canoe Club Fulda postpones Hessentag program due to blue-green algae
“In an email, the office recommended that we cancel our events Hesse day “Don't do it on the Aueweiher,” reports Wolfgang Zoth, chairman of the Fulda Canoe Club. There is a danger from the blue-green algae. In order not to take any risks, the club has changed location.
The events will be moved to the boathouse at Justus-Schneider-Weg 17 on the Fulda – and that has several advantages: The boathouse offers many possibilities. Since it's around the house There are various parking spaces for HessentagZoth also assumes that the location is attractive overall.
Blue-green algae in floodplain ponds is nothing new. The topic has been brought up again and again for years. First in September 2025, walkers complained about the smellwhich came from the algae. Even now they smell strong again. The city of Fulda informs upon request Fulda newspaper with: There is currently a bloom of blue-green algae in the floodplain pond.
That depends on the weather and is not unusual at this time of year. Currents and wind would also drive the blue-green algae together in certain places. That's why they're always noticeable on the shore balcony and on the beach on the south bank. Blue-green algae arise when there are too many nutrients in a body of water.
There is a high level of phosphate pollution in the Aueweiher, as Jochen Rümann, chairman of the nature conservation advisory board for the city of Fulda, reports. This pollution causes algae growth. Attempts have been made to counteract the problem several times. Filter systems are in use. A few years ago both ponds were even merged. But did that really make a difference?
Video: Hessentag in Fulda – this is what visitors can expect
The city emphasizes that the water quality in the Aueweiher has fundamentally stabilized significantly as a result of the merger and investments in filter systems. Both the oxygen levels and the phosphorus content developed positively. In particular, the oxygen content has not currently dropped, as was the case much more often just a few years ago.
“Nitrogen and phosphate are filtered out of the water in the floodplain pond. The water that is reintroduced into the cycle is then less nutrient-poor,” Rümann explains the city's efforts. The growth of algae increases, especially in summer due to higher temperatures. The chairman emphasizes: “You have to live with the blue-green algae.” The nutrients could be reduced, but there will still be too many – and so the algae will persist.
