FISH KILL IN STANLEY MAY PROVE BENEFICIAL
Monday, August 14th, 2006 -- 10:39 AM
The fish population in a man-made lake died in one day earlier this month when the animals lacked oxygen as temperatures soared past 100 degrees.The lack of rain helped essentially suffocate thousands of fish at Chapman Lake the first week of August.
Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Joe Kurz says the kill seemed to have occurred over a day. He says in his more than than 20 years with the D-N-R he had never seen such a large fish kill.
He says the kill might in time prove beneficial to the lake, which is man-made thanks to a dam of the Wolf River. The city is considering rebuilding the dam next year. Kurz said with the fish gone, the city could dredge the lake bottom, which will improve the habitat when fish are replaced.
Kurz said the earliest he foresees the lake being restocked is 2008.
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