A body of water, or a waterbody is just a generic name given to any water running or Stillwater and can and does encompasses rivers, streams, ditches, lakes, reservoirs, canals, pond, etc.
Kev there’s no doubt WS “can” cause perceived problems due to it vigorous growth potential over a given time period. But it must be borne in mind that the piece is from a commercial company that earns its living by biggin’ up problems. Financial self-interest perhaps?
Some of which I take professional disagreement with, alteration in the surrounding water chemistry, which may harm aquatic organisms, crowding other native species of aquatic plant and limiting biodiversity…..really?
The native plant has evolved and co-evolved since the last Ice Age with the native flora and fauna they appear to be claiming it harms. It would be very interesting to see the science they are using to back up the claims made.
You say it caused problems on the Bridgey but don’t say where on it this was. It was also on the Rochdale Canal around the Hollingwood Ave area and couple with Arrowhead, Bladderwort (my id and find) and Water Plantain got the canal SSSI scheduled from the Manchester boarder to Rochdale. The same applied to the landlocked Hollingwood Branch Canal at Little Moss, WS being the principle reason for its scheduling.
The fact that it has SSSI status doesn’t preclude what it was scheduled for from being managed. On the contrary, in many cases it is necessary that it is to keep it, the site healthy and thriving