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INCIDENT REPORT

ENVIRONMENT CANADA DATE: May 19, 2004
ENFORCEMENT & EMERGENCIES
ENFORCEMENT SECTION
224 WEST ESPLANDE
NORTH VANCOUVER, B. C.
V7M 3H7

TEL 604-666-1092
FAX 604-666-9059

NICK RUSSO, B.Sc., R.P. Bio
SPILL ASSESSMENT SCIENTIST

SUBJECT: Hotel Lake Fish Kill

REPORT:
Vince Haugland and Nick Russo responded to the fish kill in Hotel Lake on May 19th and reported the following information.

Hotel Lake is a relatvely small water body located in the Pender Harbour area North West of Garden Bay surrounded by both recreational and residential dwellings. The water surface area of this lake is about 60 acres and is basically divided into two basins having an overall mean depth of 19.4 feet. During periods of high water A small ephemeral stream at the Northwest end drains the lake when the water level overflows outlet elevation.

Observations made during the lake survey determined that even though there were dead Three Spine Sticklebacks along the periphery of the lake, many more live Sticklebacks were seen actively swimming about. The die off appears to represent a small portion of the Stickelback population compared to the numbers observed swimming about. This lake is also known to contain Peamouth Chub and Cutthroat Trout however none of these species were observed.

Water quality measurements taken along the shore, representing Dissolved Oxygen, pH and conductivity were all within the range to support aquatic life. DO=8.3 mg/L, pH=7.6 and conductivity=52.6. A water temperature of 20 degrees seemed rather high but considering the mean depth of the lake, the amount of sunshine and lack of rainfall over the course of a month a temperature of 20 degree in the shallows would be somewhat expected.

Stickleback spawn between the months of May and June and the red colouration on the anterior portion of the fish body would indicate that the fish observed in the lake are in a reproductive phase of their life cycle. Sticklebacks have a 3 year life span and literature mentions that these fish die soon after their second spawning season.

Based on the facts that the water quality parameters are within range of supporting aquatic life, the fish kill is representative of one species and that there are still live fish of the same species, it is reasonable to conclude that the fish found dead in Hotel Lake are part of a natural life cycle affecting the third year age class and that the fish kill had nothing to do with the input of a deleterious substance.

Thank you for your most recent update. I do understand your concerns. As an enforcement agency we have an obligation to evaluate reports and determine whether or not there has been a deposit of a deleterious substance into waters frequented by fish. As you know I investigated the Hotel Lake fish kill and gave you my conclusions based on the original report, the data collected and scientific knowledge about certain aspects of fish biology. Your report about another fish kill is likely a continuation of what was observed in the past. The Sticklebacks continue to spawn into the month of June and we also have to take into consideration that seasonal variations can shorten or prolong the spawning cycle.

To my knowledge there is no official report received by us indicating that there has been another fish kill. We have not received any strong or explicit evidence indicating that other species have succumbed to death in this lake. The information is hear say and I am not convinced that any fish are dyeing because there is a deposit of a deleterious substance. I encourage you to keep monitoring the lake for any unusual changes or observations and if you do observe multi-species mortality please report the fish kill immediately to the Provincial Emergency Program at 1-800-663-3456. The proper authorities will be notified and a timely response will be coordinated if deemed necessary.

Nick Russo B.Sc. R.P.Bio

Spill Assessment Scientist

Enforcement & Emergencies Division