Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Oxygen Depletion Causes Fish Kill in Ft. Scott Kansas

Press Release

Gunn Park Fern Lake – Oxygen Depletion Causes Fish Kill

On August 13, a series of events combined to cause an oxygen depletion event that ultimately caused a fish kill. These environmental factors included hot water temperatures, cloudy windless days, low water levels and an expanding green algae bloom that peaked and crashed. These factors combined created the perfect “storm” or aquatic conditions that depleted and decreased the oxygen level to a point where the aquatic system would not support fish life. 

This situation is not uncommon especially this year, where water levels have been unusually low. Cooler temperatures, a lower oxygen demand and rainfall will decrease the likely hood of this happening again this season. 

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s Fisheries Biologist, Don George has been working with the City on this project and will lead efforts to restock the fish population. 

Until then he recommends that anglers fish at the West Pond in Gunn Park. Anglers or interested individuals are advised to send questions to don.george@ks.gov.



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