The
Recreation Centers of Sun City, Inc. is aware of increasing numbers of
fish deaths in Viewpoint Lake and wishes to assure cardholders that the
deaths are due to the unusually cold weather we have experienced in
recent weeks and natural cycles of change in the lake environment.
RCSC has an outside consultant that visits
Viewpoint Lake each week and she has noted the increased mortality of
tilapia and catfish in recent weeks. She has tested the lake water and
found no evidence of golden algae, which can be a common cause of fish
mortality. She examined the fish and found no visible signs of disease
or parasites. In her opinion the tilapia are dying because of the cold
water temperatures; it is common to lose them during winter months. The
catfish deaths are probably due to the lake “turning over”; the recent
windy conditions have mixed the lake water and brought bacteria,
nutrients and organic materials up from the bottom. As the daytime
temperatures continue to rise, the tilapia should stop dying back and a
temperature gradient will re-form in the lake.
Cardholders can be assured that RCSC is aware
of the issue and the consultant will continue to monitor the fish
population.
Contact: Lindsay Frost, RCSC Communications Coordinator
623-876-3060, ext. 3087;
