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After latest dead fish cleanup, some El Pasoans question Ascarate Lake project


Ascarate Lake (Credit: KFOX14/CBS4)
Ascarate Lake (Credit: KFOX14/CBS4)
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Ascarate Lake was clean Friday, less than a week after dozens of dead fish were once again found floating on the lake’s surface.

According to the El Paso County Parks Department, the fish were killed by toxic levels of algae in the water that can suffocate the fish.

The incident was the latest in a series of mass fish die-offs for the lake, where hundreds of fish at a time have been killed in multiple incidents going back to 2016.

Along with cleaning the dead fish from the lake, the El Paso County Parks Department said it’s taking multiple steps to help fish survive in the lake.

Steps include testing the water’s oxygen levels three times a week, circulating the water to reduce toxic algae and testing the algae levels before the lake is restocked with fish up to once a month.

According to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, El Paso County is spending $4,200 on rainbow trout alone from 2019-2020.

The county did not respond to questions concerning the cost of testing the lake’s oxygen levels or the cost of stocking the lake with other types of fish.

El Pasoans were split on whether keeping fish in the lake is a worthwhile use of taxpayer money.

“I don’t mind them having a good cause to spend the money they’re investing for this park. Just because this park has great potential,” said Alejandra Alonso. “I don’t want to see less people coming here just because the fish are dying off.”

“You can’t put fish in water that they’re just going to die in. Wait until you get this figured out, and then put the fish in it,” said Jessie Nipper. “Why would you put fish in water that they’re just going to die in? That’s still an animal, even though it’s a fish.”

The El Paso County Parks Department said it’s also trying to focus on stocking Ascarate Park’s smaller lake to ensure the community has a place to fish in El Paso.

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