Kearny Lake on the comeback trail
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TUCSON — Kearny Lake is on the comeback trail after a bout with golden algae – rainbow trout were stocked Nov. 18.
The Town of Kearny and the Arizona Game and Fish Department teamed up to treat the lake in October. The town has also instituted ongoing water quality monitoring efforts.
Everything is looking good so far – Game and Fish biologists stocked 12 trout to test the lake. The fish survived.
“We have now stocked the lake with rainbow trout this month and plan another stocking in December,” said Jason Kline, a fisheries biologist with the Game and Fish Department. “We will have to wait and see about January.”
Kline explained that golden algae are tiny, one-celled aquatic organisms about the size of a human blood cell. “During blooms, golden alga releases unique toxins that can affect only gill-breathing fish. Fish kills can result,” Kline said, emphasizing that the tiny alga does not pose a public health threat.
Kline also pointed out that healthy fish caught from Kearny Lake are safe to eat. “However, people should exercise common sense: do not pick up or eat any dead or dying fish you might find.”
The Kearny Town Council has listed the lake as one of its priorities.
The town contracted with Willdan Engineers to conduct a study on the Kearny Lake, and to provide alternatives to improve water quality. Also, the town has contracted with Rick Amalfi, PhD, Aquatic Consulting & Testing, Inc., to perform laboratory tests on the lake water and to treat the lake if necessary.