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.