CLEARLAKE >> Several Clearlake residents reported a large number of dead fish in a narrow area of water. According to Clearlake resident Cindy Machado, the dead fish were spotted washing up on shore along Lakeshore Dr. about a mile past the Clearlake Park Post Office.
Machado said the dead fish were first noticed on Wednesday and consisted of shad, small bass, bluegill and catfish. Another resident reported on Wednesday noticing a strong chemical or petroleum odor coming from the area. Machado added that the stretch of water in question contained what appeared to be a discoloration.
By Thursday hundreds of gulls, herons and pelicans were reportedly feeding on the dead fish. Machado said that she is keeping a dead fish on ice to show the authorities.
Department of Fish and Wildlife game warden Lt. Loren Freeman said that the incident was also reported to his office and that he had dispatched a game warden to investigate the cause of the dead fish. Carolyn Ruttan of the Lake County Water Resources Department is also investigating the possible chemical spill and fish die-off.
In June of this year, hundreds of carp in Clear Lake fell victim to the KOI Herpes Virus. In that case, dead carp were found around the lake. In 2008, thousands of fish — again carp — washed ashore in numbers so great tractors with front-end loaders were put to use. Authorities determined the herpes virus was the culprit.
But chemical spills can cause local die-offs. Some suspect boat polish was responsible for a small event in 2006.
