December 12, 2023 Update

The work to remove invasive fish is progressing. Recent warm weather and the discovery of springs has pushed timelines back.

Phase 1, Underway:

• Work revealed two small springs
  • The springs caused a change in the work plan and dates
  • The springs refill the pond at a faster rate than we expected, so we are slowly pumping the pond until the weather produces a hard freeze
  • It is important to keep the water level in the pond to a minimum so that the pond surface can freeze solid
  • Because of this delay, we had to extend our AEPA Fish Research license until March 1, 2024
• We have started to incinerate the captured fish
• We are seeing little to no signs of life in the pond
  • The fish are burrowing into the mud to survive the hostile living conditions we are creating by pumping out the pond

Phase 2, Excavation of the pond surface:

• Excavating the pond surface:
  • Begins once the pond surface is frozen
  • Removes burrowed fish and eggs
  • Allows staff to perform pond maintenance

Pumping Work on November 9, 2023

Lowered pond levels, December 12, 2023