A constant concern on hydro lakes has always been ducks, and of course at St Albans, geese. Ultimately it required fencing to be erected at St Albans, but elsewhere the local councils overcame the problem by building duck islands and banning the boats. A duck island in the middle of the lake  made straight running almost impossible as well. Even Victoria now has a duck island, although this was inhabited by coots, equally problematical. Such was the size of many straight runners that they were moored up once they were in the lake making an 'impromptu 'duck island' for this mother and her brood. Duck Islands are now a feature of Blackheath, Brockwell Park and Victoria

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