SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Washington state Ecology and Fish and Wildlife officials say the recent die-off of hundreds of carp in Long Lake near Spokane may be a natural occurrence. State health authorities say it’s not a human health emergency.
Ecology experts have ruled out toxic substances as a cause and say the problem is not low oxygen levels in the 24-mile reservoir on the Spokane River.
Fish and Wildlife fish biologist Chris Donley says the carp may have died because of spawning stress and water temperature fluctuations. A fish pathologist examined a dead carp this week but could not determine a cause of death. More lab tests are pending.
State officials say the carcasses should decompose in a couple of weeks. Or they suggest lakeshore homeowners can bury the fish if they want to get rid of the smell more quickly.
