County officials are seeking help from a state biologist after more than 100 dead fish floated to the top of the Civic Center lagoon.
The problem was detected Sunday, when county parks staff noticed dozens of dead fish were washed up on shore and floating on the lagoon’s still waters.
Tina Torresan, county parks media manager, said the cause is unknown pending an analysis by a biologist from California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“Seems to be a bit of an anomaly,” said Chris Chamberlain, assistant director of Marin County Parks. “Initial feedback from Fish and Wildlife biologists is that the oxygen level are typical causes of die-offs like this. They likely will be coming out tomorrow but don’t appear to be overly concerned at this point that it’s anything beyond the oxygen levels.”
Carp, crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass washed up on the northeast side of the lagoon, near the fairgrounds, Chamberlain said.
Workers began cleaning up fish from the shoreline Monday. Signs were posted warning the public to keep dogs on leash and refrain from touching the water in case there was toxic algae, Torresan said. No fertilizer or chemical has been used near the area, the county said.
The lagoon is artificial and does not have a natural fresh water source feeding it, according to the county. It was designed as a drainage basin for the parking lot when the Civic Center was constructed in the late 1960s, Chamberlain said.
“This time of year late in the summer obviously there is no rain run off feeding into the lagoon, the air temperature is rising and in turn the water temperature rises, but I’m not sure if that’s having an impact,” he said. “I’ve been with the county since 1997 and I haven’t seen anything like this.”
San Rafael resident Cheri Head, who lives within walking distance of the lagoon, was out with her dog early Monday when she noticed the surface of the lagoon was speckled white. Upon closer inspection she realized it was dead fish.
“It appears that about every fish in the lake is dead and they are floating,” Head said. “They are picking them up and putting them in buckets by the dozen.”
She said she and other residents were concerned.
“Is it safe to be down there with pets and everyone else?” she said. “It’s in the middle of a public park.”
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Dead fish found in Marin Civic Center lagoon - Marin Independent Journal
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