MDC New Release 11/17/15

[Phil Lilley]

SOUTHWESTERN REGION

Rapid response by MDC statewide hatchery staff is mitigating damageNatural factors causing trout die-off at Shepherd of the Hills

Rapid response by MDC statewide hatchery staff mitigating loss.

BRANSON, Mo. – An unfortunate combination of late-autumn water conditions has caused a die-off of trout at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery.

This fish loss is a result of a combination of current environmental conditions that include warm water, low oxygen, high nitrogen, high sulfur levels and excess nutrient content. Hatchery staff will not know the full impact of trout loss for some time as some fish may experience delayed mortality from the stress they experienced at this time. Mortality has occurred in all sizes of fish at the hatchery. Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery, located in Taney County, is Missouri’s largest trout hatchery. It produces 1,250,000 trout annually which are stocked into Lake Taneycomo and other trout areas around the state.

Much of the above-mentioned environmental conditions can be traced to the heavy rains, hot temperatures and algae die-off that depleted water quality and caused fish die-off problems at Table Rock Lake this past summer. Shepherd of the Hills receives its water from Table Rock.

Fortunately, quick action by MDC hatchery staff is resulting in the bulk of Shepherd’s trout population being saved. Some are being moved to other raceways at the hatchery where the water quality is better; other trout are being temporarily transported to Bennett Spring Hatchery, Montauk Hatchery and Lost Valley Hatchery.

The primary cure to Shepherd’s problems will occur when cold weather arrives.

“The faster it gets colder, the sooner the water temperature at the surface (of Table Rock) will equal the water temperature at the bottom (of the lake) and allow the lake to mix,” said MDC Fisheries Management Biologist Shane Bush, who oversees fish management at Table Rock and Taneycomo reservoirs. “This will bring better water quality through the dam. This may happen as soon as this weekend with cold temperatures expected.”

The hatchery’s Conservation Center remains open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but trout viewing opportunities along the raceway have been temporarily closed to the public.

More information can be obtained by calling the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery Conservation Center, 417-334-4865 or the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Southwest Regional Office in Springfield, 417-895-6880.

A combination of natural factors has led to a trout die-off at the Missouri Department of Conservation's Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery in Taney County. Some of the fish are being temporarily transferred to other hatcheries in the state until water conditions at Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery improve.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Francis Skalicky
Media Specialist
417-895-6881 x1641
Francis.Skalicky@mdc.mo.gov

 

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GovDelivery, on behalf of: Missouri Department of Conservation
2901 W. Truman Blvd. · PO Box 180 · Jefferson City MO 65102-0180

[laker67]

Thanks for keeping us informed with reliable info Phil. Some of the new comers and out of staters on facebook, fly fish taneycomo, are rippin mdc for not being in better control of mother nature.

[BilletHead]

Yes thank you for posting this. I know guys have been happy with mild weather. We need a winter cycle. Let it be cold. It is meant to be this way.

BilletHead

[Bill Babler]

This circumstance has been building since Spring.  It is not however the responsibility of MDC this falls on the COE and legislation to regulate water flow from Table Rock thru the White River system.  Safeguards have been put in  place to protect valuable farm land in the lower Mississippi delta to prevent flooding that occurred in 08 and 2011.

The folks at MDC have been delt this hand and are doing the best with it they can.  We have had sediment in the water on the Rock all year and it just recently has started to clear somewhat, but you can continue to see floating particles throughout the water column.

Lets all hope for a speedy recovery and not push the blame card to heavy on our MDC hatchery.  Got a feeling there has been many a sleepless night going on up there, trying to fix someone else mess.

 

[Phil Lilley]

Yea- and our hatchery manager, Clint Hale, his wedding day is Saturday!  Can you imagine his stress level??

Wish him and his new bride the very best.