MDC says fish kill on Grand Glaize arm of the Lake of the Ozarks was from a ‘natural event’

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Conservation said in a Friday press release that it received several reports earlier this week of a fish kill event on the Grand Glaize arm of the Lake of the Ozarks.

An investigation revealed that this was likely a natural fish kill event, and that there is no reason for concern, the MDC stated.

Fish kills can occur naturally in Missouri, and they are classified as the sudden death of fish that occurs in a lake or stream, the release states. Each year, MDC handles around 100 fish kills and other water quality events that pose a threat to fish, wildlife and recreation. MDC stated 75-80% are caused by natural events. The rest of these events are caused by pollution, chlorinated drinking water or chemical spills.

It was determined that this week’s fish kill was caused from a backwater upstream that likely ran out of water and dissolved oxygen, killing the fish. Then, in the recent rainfall, these fish were flushed downstream into the Grand Glaize arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. Events like this are not uncommon during times of drought when dissolved oxygen levels in the water are at risk of dropping, and they pose no environmental threat to humans.

In the aftermath of a fish kill, nature will take its course and allow the decomposition process to take place, the MDC stated. Nutrients from this process will be fed back into the ecosystem, benefiting the local plants and animals. Any living fish in the area are safe to catch and consume, the department stated.

Suspected fish kills can be reported on the MDC’s website.