Fish dead in Krug Park pond due to algae bloom, low oxygen levels MDC says

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- At least 50 fish were found belly-up at Krug Park on Tuesday afternoon.

News-Press NOW reached out to biologists at the Missouri Department of Conservation, who explained the die-off is tied to a drop in oxygen levels in the water — something that can happen for a few different reasons.  

“There’s no photosynthesis happening, which produces oxygen with all the vegetation, so then the fishes start dying because of the lethal dip in O2 in the water,” said Tori Mason, a MDC fisheries management biologist.

According to Mason, reports of dying fish at the pond aren’t new.  

Dead fish are pretty common this time of year, but the department plans to restock the pond with trout by November.  

“I am getting calls all the time on the exact same thing. It’s really unfortunate, and if we had the aeration and fountains, then this wouldn’t have happened,” Mason said.  

Mason explained this isn’t unusual and assured the public there’s no risk to people. Mason also explained, the real culprit is a large algae bloom, which released toxins into the water and led to the fish dying.  

“We will get it stocked back up, and it will be good as new here in short order and there will be plenty of fish to catch for people,” Mason said.  

Mason said the timing made conditions tougher for the fish, but the MDC expects to have the issue resolved soon for residents.