(Orleans)– Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are looking into a fish kill on Big Spirit Lake.
Mike Hawkins, a fisheries biologist, says they were notified Thursday by a resident who saw dead fish washing up on shore. Hawkins says most of the dead fish, consisting mainly of young walleye, darters and perch, have been found on the southeast side of the lake between the pump house and Sunset Park in Orleans.
Hawkins estimates between 500 and 600 dead fish were found Thursday with some additional ones found today (Friday).
Hawkins says their investigation into the kill points to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water likely the result of decomposing vegetation or algae, along with lack of wind and elevated water temperatures.
Hawkins says having such fish kills and conditions aren’t out of the ordinary for this time of year.
Hawkins says the low oxygen levels likely was NOT the result of some sort of spill, adding it’s in no way related to last week’s release of wastewater on the southwest side of Big Spirit caused by a broken sanitary sewer main.
Hawkins says anyone who sees a large number of dead fish washed up on shore should contact his office at 336-1840.
