Are you under the impression that 2020 has been the most backward year in your life and that things could not possibly get worse than they already are? Think again, friend, as 2020 is the year that keeps on giving in terms of weirdness. Dead fish were recently found washing ashore at this Colorado Springs lake:
Late last month, park-goers in Colorado Springs were greeted with a surprising and unsettling sight, as hundreds of dead fished washed ashore at the popular Prospect Lake.
According to a report from Fox21, the lake had been closed for more than a month before the incident occurred (due to extremely high microcystin levels), which both harms water quality and decreases the amount of oxygen for creatures living in the water.
In an interview with Fox21, a City of Colorado Springs spokesperson revealed that high water temperatures and blue-green algae both caused the death of the fish as well as gave the lake its distinct green color.
Termed Cyanobacteria, blue-green algae is a bacteria caused by certain nutrients in the water and ample sunlight, which combine to form the previously mentioned toxin microcystin.
While Prospect Lake is being treated with an "enzyme-based, non-pesticide treatment," the problem should eventually remedy itself, as cold temperatures and rain work together to flush out the algae.
While the algae are still present, it is recommended that both humans and their pets avoid the area, as dogs are also susceptible to the bacteria's toxicity.
