Youghiogheny River Lake fish kill probed

The Army Corps of Engineers and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission are investigating the cause of a fish kill in the Youghiogheny River Lake, which stretches 16 miles from Confluence into Maryland.

About 200 fish, mostly white suckers that are not game fish, as well as a few walleye and one pike, were found dead Sunday between Big Boat Club and Mays Point, said Daniel Jones, a spokesman for the Corps' Pittsburgh office. More fresh fish were discovered Monday, and samples are being taken for additional investigation, the Corps said.

Corps personnel investigating the fish kill initially thought they had discovered pollution that might have killed the fish because a sheen of some substance was found on the surface of the water, but further investigation did not uncover any pollution, Jones said.

“We think it is an isolated incident,” Jones said.

A biologist from the Corps' Pittsburgh District 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 the anoxia.

The Corps said that similar fish kills in September 1991 and 2005 were the result of low water levels, sustained high air temperature and warmer water temperatures.

Eric Levis, a spokesman for the Fish & Boat Commission, could not be reached for comment.

Joe Napsha is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-836-5252 or jnapsha@tribweb.com.