Fish Kill observed in May 2016 on Rice Lake/Elm Creek
In mid-May beginning on May 13, dead bullheads were observed in both Elm Creek and Rice Lake by area residents. Many of these fish appeared to be young in age and only this species seems to be impacted at this time.
During the same period of time, the algae levels have been increasing and water quality/clarity has been decreasing, but the level of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) has not been declining. Blue-green algae is also beginning to show up on shorelines.
It is possible that a certain age of bullheads are succumbing to a disease known as Chondrococcus Columnaris (click here for details). At this point in time, no other species appear to be impacted and many other age bullheads seem to be surviving.
See below for some photos of the dead fish observed during this time.
May 17 by County Road 30 bridge on Elm Creek
May 17 on Rice Lake (off 88th Place)
May 16 on Elm Creek (just south of County Road 30)
May 18 on Elm Creek (just south of County Road 30)
