County monitoring Lake McIntosh

The Fayette County Water System received some concerns from local citizens regarding dead fish in Lake McIntosh. The Water System was not utilizing Lake McIntosh as a source of water given the recent sewer spill and has continued to not use it in an abundance of caution.

The Water System team took dissolved oxygen (DO) samples this week. The samples all tested in parameters for aquatic life along the perimeter of the lake and throughout its body.

Additionally, the Water System’s real-time United States Geological Survey’s gauges, both above and below Lake McIntosh, recorded normal DO parameters confirming the lake is healthy.

The Water System has concluded that the few hundred dead fish are a result of normal spring spawning and lake stratification, which are normal for this time of the year. A Department of Natural Resources representative has visited the lake and reviewed the test results, and has agreed with the Water System’s findings.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Charles Oddo has been in contact with all parties and assures the residents that the Water System will continue to monitor the lake.