fishkill – Aquarius-Systems

Decomposing Weeds After Spraying Kills Fish in Lake

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:34:36 +0000

Residents around Indian Lake in Worcester, Massachusetts, are raising concerns after a spike in fish deaths following the recent application of aquatic herbicides. These chemicals, intended to control the spread of invasive weeds, work by killing the plants outright. But once the plants die, they begin to decompose in the water—a process that consumes dissolved oxygen. As oxygen levels drop, fish and other aquatic life can no longer survive, resulting in visible fish kills along the shoreline.

This chain reaction—herbicide application, plant decay, and oxygen depletion—has become a growing concern for communities trying to balance weed control with aquatic health. Indian Lake residents voiced frustration over poor communication from city officials, especially after seeing and smelling the aftermath of the July 2025 treatment. This incident underscores the environmental risks of chemical plant control and the importance of considering non-chemical alternatives like mechanical weed harvesting.

Read More https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2025/07/22/dead-fish-herbicides-communication-discussed-at-indian-lake-meeting/85306476007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z118908p000650c000650d00—-v118908d–79–b–79–&gca-ft=234&gca-ds=sophi

Chemical Spraying Causes Major Fish Kill in Florida Canal

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:18:06 +0000

Following a chemical treatment aimed at controlling aquatic vegetation in Port St. Lucie’s Elkhorn Canal, residents reported what they called the “worst smell in the entire world” as countless fish perished on the canal’s surface. Water tests revealed that dissolved oxygen levels plunged to levels unsustainable for aquatic life—an unintended but severe consequence of the applied chemicals.

Critics argue that proper dissolved-oxygen testing should have been completed before treatment—something the contractor failed to do. Environmental advocates now recommend exploring safer alternatives, such as mechanical harvesting or biological controls, to manage vegetation without triggering oxygen depletion or fish kills.

When Waterway Management Turns Harmful

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:12:20 +0000

In June 2024, a chemical herbicide application in Florida’s Elkcam Waterway resulted in a catastrophic fish kill. Within 24 hours, residents reported fish gasping at the surface, and by the end of the week, thousands of dead fish had washed up along the banks.

This devastating incident underscores the dangers of using chemicals to manage aquatic vegetation. While herbicides can offer a quick solution, the long-term damage can be severe—destroying ecosystems, harming wildlife, and raising health concerns for nearby communities.

The fish lost in Port St. Lucie were part of a balanced aquatic system that also supported birds, turtles, and other species. The sudden collapse of this environment sparked outrage and concern among residents who now question the safety and sustainability of chemical treatments.

Fortunately, there is a better way. Mechanical harvesting offers an eco-friendly, chemical-free method of aquatic weed control. It physically removes vegetation from the water without introducing toxins or disrupting the ecosystem. This method not only preserves water quality but also protects the fish, plants, and wildlife that depend on healthy aquatic habitats.

Whether managing a private lake, public waterway, or residential canal, mechanical harvesting is a responsible, sustainable solution. It’s an effective alternative for those who care about long-term water health and want to avoid the risks of herbicide use.

Chloraminated Water Causes Massive Fish Kill in Minnesota

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 15:01:09 +0000

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency released new information regarding its ongoing efforts to determine what caused a massive fish kill in Duluth’s Tischer Creek in August.

MPCA Communications Specialist Beverly Godfrey says the city of Duluth drained an estimated 1.7 million gallons of chloraminated water into the creek from the Woodland Reservoir over a 15-hour period as part of a maintenance operation for the city’s drinking water system. Chloraminated water is drinking water that has been treated with chloramine, a disinfectant that’s made by combining chlorine and ammonia.

Chloramine is more stable than chlorine, so it can protect water from bacterial regrowth for longer, it produces fewer disinfection byproducts than chlorine and has a less noticeable chlorine odor and taste.

Are Fish Populations affected by Chemical Treatments?

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 19:05:17 +0000

David Tyler, publisher of the Cazenovia Republican in Cazenovia New York appreciates and applauds the efforts of the Cazenovia Lake Association and the Lake Watershed Council in their efforts to maintain the health of the lake. With that said, he questions the effect of herbicide treatments on the size and number of fishing being caught.

A two-year program to treat Eurasian milfoil with herbicide has seemed to reduce and eliminate the aquatic invasive species in part of the lake, but the downturn in fishing and a fishkill event last summer has cause for concern. He questions the timing of the events and speculates that perhaps the herbicides have caused the latest issues.

Algae Treatment Leads to Massive Fish Kill in Lake Isabella

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 18:16:49 +0000

Lake Isabella has experienced a significant “fish kill” due to low oxygen levels following treatment of an extremely high blue-green algae presence.

When the heavy bloom was noted a recommendation was made to close the lake to swimming and boaters and a company was hired to treat the lake with a chemical called SeClear. The following day, hundreds of dead fish were observed lying dead on the bottom and floating on the surface.

Workers went around netting the dead fish. The numbers showed 1,105 small largemouth bass killed, 181,888 bluegill fingerlings, 7,635 larger bluegill, 26 white crappie, 3 grass carp and 10 channel catfish killed. All of the fish were buried in the Village gravel pit.

Chemical Treatment Leads to Massive Fish Kill

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 17:08:08 +0000

State environmental officials say improper chemical treatment of algae blooms caused a fish kill in northeastern Pennsylvania.

The Times-Tribune reports about 10,000 fish died in Lake Ariel in Wayne County last summer.

According to the citation, the association hired a New Jersey company to kill algae blooms in July. Officials say the firm did not follow proper application procedures for copper sulfate.

Fish Kill Shortly after Chemical Treatment

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 20:08:46 +0000

A fish kill at Diamond Lake affected about 100 fish of several different species leading to an by the Michigan DNR Fisheries and the Department of Environment and Great Lakes and Energy (EAGLE), formerly known as Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Dead fish showed up two days after the lake had been treated with chemicals to kill non-native vegetation. Chemicals had been applied on aquatic plants in the area near Park Shore Marina. The chemical used (legally) was diqat flumioxazin, known to be good for killing stubborn exotic plants. However, the chemical also can be hard on fish.

Read More https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/sports/2019/06/22/outdoors-weed-treatments-need-more-scrutiny/46502741/

Diamond Lake Chemical Treatment Caused Fish Kill

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 21:57:08 +0000

Michigan anglers are fed up with the way some area lake associations have amped up their aquatic plant treatments in recent years.

The annual dump of herbicides has destroyed a lot of fish habitat in recent years. It doesn’t matter whether you fish for panfish, bass, pike or walleye; excessive treatments have negative effects.

Plants not only provide good habitat for young fish that can grow to become big fish, but they absorb nutrients coming into the lake to help keep it clear.

Untimely or over-zealous chemical treatments will turn a relatively clear lake into a brownish color, and it can kill fish like it did at Diamond Lake this summer, when an estimated 1,000 gamefish died a couple of days after a weed treatment.

Fisherman, Frank Yavaraski, “I’ve never understood how lake association members are willing to let their children swim in these lakes heavily treated with herbicides, yet they will spend $10 for a gallon of organic milk.”

10,000 Dead Fish at Lake Mission Viejo after Toxic Algae Outbreak

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 21:34:54 +0000

An outbreak of toxic algae has killed almost all fish at Lake Mission Viejo, a world-class bass fishery in California.

An estimated 10,000-plus bass, catfish, sunfish and blue gill have died in the past few months at the man-made recreational lake, said Kevin Frabotta, general manager of the Lake Mission Viejo Association, the homeowners association that owns the lake.

Lake staff discovered dead fish in early November and lab tests showed they were dying as a result of a toxin produced by prymnesium parvum, also known as the golden algae, the HOA website stated. HOA employees have been treating the lake with algae suppressor and testing water samples twice a week since then, Frabotta said.

Staff stock Lake Mission Viejo with trout every winter, but the association has been delaying restocking until the lake condition recovers. They’ve released about 15 sample trout to test the water, but all died within two hours, Frabotta said.