ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – More than 100 fish died in an Atlantic Beach pond this week after a system meant to keep nearby homes from flooding was left in place too long, according to the city's Public Works director.
Scott Williams said 130 homes flooded in the area of the Aquatic Drive pond in November 2015 and since then whenever there is heavy rain coming in, the city places flaps to block off pipes from the pond to prevent flooding.
Recommended Videos
But the flaps were left in place too long and tidal waters couldn't come in, sending the water's temperature too high and the water level too low, which killed the fish.
“I had no idea there were that many fish in this pond until I saw them this morning floating,” said beaches resident Amy Wiggins, who said her children fish in the pond. “I noticed in the pond all these dead fish floating, abd I noticed the city workers scooping out the dead fish.”
Williams said the city pumped water from nearby Hopkins Creek into the pond to cool the water and raise the oxygen level.
He said fish have been congregating again so the fix appears to be working.