Geographical FeaturesofChadwick LakesBryton Spiteri3.01

Chadwick LakesChadwick Lakes Map

Chadwick Lakes The dams atChadwick Lakes werebuilt by a colonialengineer, known asSir Oswald Chadwickthus becoming knownas Chadwick Lakes.

Chadwick Lakes These dams allowfresh water to gatherafter winter rain. This water servesfarmers in the area toirrigate their fields. The collected rainwater even serves asa habitat for differentflora and fauna.

Chadwick Lakes During the wetseason the volume ofrainfall is abundantand because of thisthe water level behindthe dams overflow.

Chadwick Lakes This particular stretchof watercourse flowsthrough an exposedlayer of globigerinalime stone. Here we can see theeroded rocks that thewater formed throughout the years.

Chadwick Lakes During 1990s part ofthe valley wascleaned and the sidewalls were replacedby gabions filled withrubble stones. These hold strongduring heavy waterflows.

Chadwick Lakes These gabionsenabled flora andfauna to live within. Flora diversity hasreduced drastically inthe area that receivedthe intervention.

Chadwick Lakes A type of particularflora that has revivedin the valley andseems to be takingover other flora in thedams in an alarmingmanner is the FoolWater Cress.

Chadwick Lakes Most of the poplar (luq)trees which are native toMalta are to be foundalong this valley. Poplar (luq) trees grow invalleys right out of thevalley floor where theirroots follow water streamsprouting new poplars.

Chadwick Lakes Many fields are borderedby rubble walls creatinganother habitat withinhabitat. There are certain wildflowers such as poppiesor Gargir Abjad thatgrow in them. These attract animalsthat feed on them.

Chadwick Lakes Here one can find alarge amount of theislands amphibian thePainted Frog. Nowadays because ofeducation these frogsare not caught anymore by youngsters.

Chadwick Lakes Flowers attractbutterflies. Butterflies are animportant part of foodchains, as they andtheir caterpillars arearound in spring andsummer when birdsneed juicy insects tofeed their young.

Chadwick Lakes The Maltese walllizards (gremxula) isonly found in Malta. Lizards could be seenearly in the morningsunning on a stone. Lizards have theability to drop theirtail as a last ditch toescape predators.

Chadwick Lakes The reed is a strongplant that growsrapidly where there iswater and enoughmud for it to spreadits roots. Reeds are home tomany mini beasts likespiders, birds andgrasshoppers.

Chadwick Lakes The peaceful soundsof nature in the earlymorning accompaniedby the gurgling offlowing water arerelax full the mind.Click picture:

Chadwick Lakes The whole valley iscurrently in aneglected state andthe dams are full ofsilt and rubble. Therefore they canthold water to theirmaximum capacity.

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