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Ollerton: Hundreds of fish die in pond at Wellow Dam after it de-oxygenated




Hundreds of fish perished when a lake suddenly de-oxygenated because of algae.

Fish could be seen floating dead in the pond at Wellow Dam late last week and were it not for the actions of the fire service and the Environment Agency, stocks would have been wiped out.

One witness said: “It looked as if a dozen hand grenades had gone off. There were dead fish everywhere.”

Wellow Dam fish crisis (48414446)
Wellow Dam fish crisis (48414446)

The pond is fished by the Thoresby Angling Club, a club that has existed for 80 years, and whose season is now devastated.

Chairman Ray Davis said it was the result of a weather-inspired algae bloom.

“It’s devastated our season,” said Mr Davis.

“Had it been left any longer, we would have lost our whole stock. We’ve lost a vast amount. We’re possibly down to 20% in 24 hours.”

Among the fish lost were carp and bream.

The club is non-for-profit and all fees from match days are ploughed back into restocking fish stocks and maintenance of the pond, which is leased.

“It’s probably going to take us ten years to get back to where we were before this happened,” said Mr Davis.

“We’re very grateful for everything that was done because without it, we’d have been facing an even bleaker future and may well have folded.

“And the weekend before, everything look so healthy.

“We’ll need to raise funds now, but I’ve no idea how.”

Specialist pumps and equipment were used to re-oxygenate the water in an operation that lasted many hours.



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