In the eighteenth century , the waters were so low that marshy islands had begun to appear , giving the area the additional name of Foss Islands .
During the summer months the river smelled foul and was mostly dry and stagnant .
In the eighteenth century , the waters were so low that marshy islands had begun to appear , giving the area the additional name of Foss Islands , and during the summer months the river smelled foul and was mostly dry and stagnant .