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Lewis Wetzel Pond Fish Kill

By Chuck Clegg - Staff Writer | Oct 9, 2024

An estimated several hundred fish have died at the Lewis Wetzel Park Pond.

Early in the first week of October, the Lewis Wetzel fishing pond experienced a sudden and large fish kill. The extent of the pond’s fish population that was affected is unclear. Witnesses report the type of floating fish were large bottom fish such as carp and catfish. Estimated kill ranges from 500 to 700. Some fish were as large as 25 pounds.

The fish were quickly removed from public scrutiny by city employees. This helped to prevent complaints about rotting fish odors and an unsightly scene on the surface of the pond. Witnesses stated when they first saw the pond from a distance, they believed the surface was covered with marker buoys.

Pond conditions which led to the death of the fish at first were unclear. It was taken into account the unusually warm water and inadequate pond oxygenation could have caused oxygen levels to drop dangerously low for aquatic wildlife.

The pond also has a layer of thick algae on part of the pond’s surface. It is possible that the algae bloom could have released toxins into the water creating a dead zone for oxygen.

There is also the possibility some contamination could have entered the pond from the recent rainfall. Fertilizers can have adverse effects on pond water oxygen levels.

The city has been in contact with the State DNR concerning the fish kill. It has been reported that recent atmospheric conditions have created similar issues in other local ponds.

DNR representative, Dustin Smith contacted this reporter and explained he has spoken with representatives of New Martinsville. They had told him of the pond’s situation as they understood it. He explained that at this time of year, a sudden fish kill can happen when cold rain and wind can cause a turnover in the pond’s water. Oxygen concentrations often stratified into layers within the water column. When Oxygen crashes occur, the fish are unable to cope with the sudden change in oxygen levels. As in this case the larger bottom feeding fish suffered the worst of the event.

Officer Smith also explained prevention of events such as this can be controlled with oxygenating fountains.

As of this writing, information from city officials has not been obtained. Requests for information and interviews have gone unanswered. Could this have been prevented with pump maintenance? Does the water in the pond pose any future danger to fish or the public? Will the pond be restocked for next year’s fishing season?