After consulting with the Mass. Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife the following determination has been made. The cause of the fish dying off is the lack of oxygen due to the algae decomposing, the water table being approx. 6 inches lower than one week ago , the lack of rain and the inability of the spring that supplies the pond with water to do so at a rate that will re-oxygenate the pond. The fountains can not be used to aerate the water because the water level is so low the pumps would be in the vegetation bed and would clog. The only realistic short term solution is rainfall in sufficient inches that will re-oxygenate the pond and allow for the reinstallation of the fountains. Efforts will be made to collect the dead fish and properly dispose of them.

Christopher Webb
Dir. Permits, Inspections & Planning Services
cwebb@cityofmalden.org

Thank you for the explanation.

Could an algae killer be added to the pond (as done in the past)?

Also, could a temporary 'Floating Aeration Pump' (like those used in Municipal Waste Treatment Plants) be put in the water; since, according to your response, we are waiting on an 'act of god' for it to rain...

A temporary floating aeration pump would be extremely helpful in preventing further ecosystem imbalance and aerate the pond until it rains; death of the fish in the pond will continue at an alarming rate and you will be there everyday trying to collect the dead fish.

There are also some rare fish in that pond in which people would be very unhappy to see floating around...

This matter is not closed. This office is looking into aeration systems, their costs and their installation and maintenance needs. There has been one algae treatment completed. Another is proposed for September.

Chris Webb
Dir. Permits, Inspections and Planning Services