Kinghorn Community Website  © Produced 2007 by Ron Edwards

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Kinghorn Loch Users Group comprises representatives of:

Kinghorn Community Council

Kirkcaldy Canoe Club

Kinghorn Sailing Club

Craigencalt Farm

Craigencalt Ecology Centre

Scottish Carp Group

SEPA

Alcan Ltd

Fife Council

It works to represent the interests of all users of the loch and surrounding areas.

Chair

Councillor Ron Edwards

Secretary

Marilyn Edwards (01592 891330)

The launching area (jetty) at the lochside is now completed and it looks great. “Plaswood” (recycled polythene) decking is in place for launching, and places to sit and relax.  Fife Council has installed life-belt stations.  Funding of £14000 was given by Burntisland Development Trust, Fife Environment Trust, Kinghorn Common Good and Alcan Ltd.

Project Manager Alan Henderson.

Kinghorn Loch suffered from prolonged algal blooms for many years, present from Spring to mid-Winter.  The water was often “Mediterranean blue” and cloudy.  Some blue-green algae could be present.  

In 2001 the community council action group decided to try using barley straw to reduce the blooms.  The general guidance was adapted to build six rafts (Lochframes - designed by the group) each of which holds one large round bail of barley straw, split up into a loose heap on the raft.  The six rafts are loaded in February and August each year.   

While these were initially loaded from the shore, it was found convenient to load them in-situ from a large dinghy pulled by the rescue boat.  The netting was fixed quite tight (as it will sag anyway) and it was not necessary to cover the straw.  Initially agricultural netting was used but proved to be degraded by light and not strong enough.  Polypropylene trawler netting has proved very durable.  No repairs have been necessary on the rafts for five years.

Barley straw frame plans

The method has proved successful with few blooms occurring and failing within days.  The water is often completely clear.

 

Minutes of Kinghorn Loch Users Group.

The generosity of Marley Drainage is greatly appreciated in building the Lochrafts.

Minutes of meetings.

Kinghorn Loch Users Group.

The jetty was opened at our Come & Try day in October

Kinghorn Loch Users Group

 

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