Dead fish found in Lake Te Koo Utu

Dead fish have been found in Cambridge’s Lake Te Koo Utu over the last two days.

Waipā District staff have removed around 90 non-native pest fish from the lake’s edge since Wednesday morning, and this afternoon contractors will retrieve more from the centre of the lake via kayak.

Community services manager Brad Ward said the cause of the fish deaths is not yet known, but early advice suggests it could be related to a flush of contaminants into the lake from the recent heavy rain following the dry summer.

Ward said the lake water quality is monitored each month by the Waikato Regional Council, and we will be working closely with them to resolve the situation.

“In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the lake over the long weekend and remove any more dead fish as needed.”

Removing the fish will help break the cycle of contamination and reduces the risks of potential harm to birdlife.

Signs are being installed at the lake and the public are advised to not touch or remove any dead fish, to not let their dogs drink from or go into the water, and to not feed the wildlife in the lake.