As many of you have noticed, there have been an unusual number of dead fish washing up on the lake shore in the past few weeks.
CLCS tested for fecal coliform extensively around the lake, and all of the tests returned good. Our limnologist (lake specialist) also had no explanation. We reported the fish kill to the Department of Environmental Conservation, who came to the lake to investigate. Their initial assessment was that the lake was quite healthy, and they took several specimens away for testing.
We just received the DEC’s report. The fish kill is due to a Columnaris outbreak with a secondary Saprolegnia (water mold) infection. Columnaris is a naturally occurring bacteria that is in most freshwater lakes. The outbreak was probably due to excessive water temperature fluctuations. This is a natural phenomenon and nothing can be done to prevent it. There is no effective way to treat Columnaris on a lake-level scale.
Most importantly, there is no danger to humans so swimming in the lake is completely safe.
You can read the DEC report here.
Thank you for your continued support of CLCS!