Large areas of a froth-like substance have been seen on the River Avon and Kennet and Avon Canal through Bath this morning.
Chunks of the white foamy substance were concentrated at Widcombe, and have been breaking up over the course of the day.Although there has been no official comment yet from the Environment Agency, it is thought the foam is a natural phenomenon resulting from a faster than normal water flow.
It is said to be a regular occurrence, although it provoked a number of comments on Twitter today.
It is understood that run-off from farms further up the Avon oxygenates in fast-flowing water, causing the unsightly but ultimately harmless foam scum.
The presence of all sorts of materials - from algae to detergents - can reduce surface tension, allowing air bubbles to be created more easily.
When this is combined with high water flows, the bubbles can persist and become foam.
