We recently received the results of a survey of Canvey Lake to find out how much silt has built up at the bottom of the lake.
What were the findings?
- The survey took place in June 2026 and covered most of the lake
- On average, there is about 1.3 metres (over 4 feet) of silt at the bottom of the lake
- In total, there are around 42,000 cubic metres of silt (equivalent to 17 Olympic-sized swimming pools)
- Some areas have more silt than others, especially in the middle and deeper parts of the lake
Why does this matter?
Too much silt can make the lake shallower, less healthy for wildlife and plants and increases the risk of algae blooms
What’s next?
- We are expecting an analysis report of the type of silt to provide a complete picture of the type and depth
- The Council will use this information to design a dredging plan that targets the areas with the most silt and most effective method
- We will then apply for a licence from the Environment Agency for permission to dredge the Lake