Conservation official provides update on Krug Park Lagoon algae bloom

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- In late September, the public noticed over 50 fish floating belly up in the lagoon at Krug Park.

Tory Mason, fisheries biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, said it was due to low dissolved oxygen levels.

"The water temperatures are high, the water holds less oxygen, we get a cloudy day, there's an algae bloom during that time," Mason said. "When that algae starts dying off, it uses oxygen."

A dip in dissolved oxygen is common in northwest Missouri and can be lethal to aquatic animals.

"Sometimes when that process starts, there's nothing you can do," Mason said.

When something like this happens, Mason said MDC restocks once the water quality is checked and ready. The plan is to restock the lagoon at the end of October.

"It's very common, it happens to about every pond in northwest Missouri but as water is cooled, it's not conductive to the algae blooming anymore," Mason said. "As the waters cool, it will go away."

Another contribution to water quality issues is bread thrown into the lagoon. The bread feeds the algae bloom and is another detriment to the oxygen levels.

As the water continues to clear naturally, Mason said trout fishing is still on schedule to start in November.

"Fish kills happen, no one's to blame," Mason said. "Mother nature does what she does."