MONTREAL — It was like a scene from the apocalypse: hundreds of dead fish were found floating in the Lac des Battures on an island in the St. Lawrence River.
The small, artificial lake on Nun’s Island is home to a variety of birds, fish and turtles, as well as local residents, who enjoy walking along its shores.
City officials from the borough of Verdun noted that the phenomenon is similar to what takes place in Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, where Parks Canada suggests the large number of fish found floating on the surface of the canal each spring is “normal” and likely caused by winterkill.
“Since last year, we have been in solution mode in order to revitalize the entire ecosystem,” said Verdun mayor, Jean-François Parenteau in a statement.
“We expect several interventions in the coming months, which will restore the lasting quality of Nun’s Island’s ecological environment.”
According to the borough, a new pump will be installed, which they hope it will help with the problem of the lack of oxygen in the water over the winter.
The tender for the construction of the pumping station will be launched soon for an expected installation in the summer.
In the meantime, the borough has confirmed that crews will be clearing the lake of dead fish and debris.
What is winterkill?
According to Parks Canada, winterkill is a common phenomenon in lakes during the winter.
As ice forms on the surface of the lake, it acts as a cap, limiting the amount of oxygen in the water.
Because fish need oxygen to live, they use the oxygen supply up over the course of the winter.
While the strongest of the fish survive, many die and sink to the bottom of the lake.
With spring, the lake “refreshes” itself. When this happens, the dead fish float to the surface.
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