Corps Investigating Fish Kill at Youghiogheny Lake
Corps of Engineers Release
11 September 2012
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Pittsburgh District
Public Affairs Office
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4186
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept.11, 2012
Release No. NR12-254
Contact: Dan Jones
Phone 412-395-7500/01/02
CELRP-PA@usace.army.mil
The US Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is working with
the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission to investigate cause
of a recent fish kill at Youghiogheny Lake.
It is estimated that approximately 200 fish, mostly non-game
(white suckers) died along with a few walleye and one pike. They
were found between Big Bend Boat Club and Mays Point. Additional
fresh fish were discovered Monday and samples are being taken for
further investigation.
Similar fish kills in September 1991 and 2005 were the result of
low water levels, sustained high air temperature and warmer water
temperatures.
District Biologist conducted a water survey Sept. 5 and found
higher than normal pH and dissolved oxygen levels during the day
and lower than normal levels at night. Anoxia, the absence of
oxygen, was also discovered at 35 feet which is the shallowest
depth on record.
For media inquiries, contact the Public Affairs Office at
412-395-7500 or email: celrp-pa@usace.army.mil.
Pittsburgh District’s 26,000-square miles include portions of
western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio,
western Maryland and southwestern New York.Our jurisdiction
includes more than 328 miles of navigable waterways, 23 navigation
locks and dams, 16 multi-purpose flood control reservoirs, 42
local flood protection projects and other projects to protect and
enhance the Nation’s water resources, infrastructure and
environment.