The former beauty spot in Hemel Hempstead suffered at the hands of scorching summer weather in 2006, when water flow dropped and reeds swamped the surface.

Wildlife that relied on open water, including fish species brown trout, stickleback and bullhead, has struggled to survive the changes.

But the Environment Agency has pledged to spend the next four to six weeks clearing the water and restoring the river to its former glory.

It is hoped that water foul and fish species will flourish as a result of the clean up, at the same time improving the look of the park's landscape.

Dacorum Borough Council, that owns and is responsible for maintaining the park, expects the new look to attract more visitors over the summer months.

Gareth Tulley, of the Environment Agency, said: "We hope to restore the river to support a diverse array of species.

"We hope to keep disruption to the park's visitors to a minimum during the work and believe that the restored river will make Gadebridge Park a better place for people and wildlife."

The River Gade is classed as a chalk stream- a rare habitat on a national and international scale- and has boasted a strong and diverse range of species in the past.