A longtime angler and local resident, Maria Armijo, reported hundreds of dead fish at Monastery Lake in northern New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Wildlife investigated the incident and documented about 120 dead rainbow trout. The department attributed the deaths to elevated water temperatures and low oxygen levels.
Impact on the Community
Armijo, who has spent years fishing at the lake with her family, expressed concern about the lake’s condition. She said that the lake is not just a fishing destination, but also a place that holds generations of family memories. The fish die-off has raised concerns about the lake’s ecosystem and the potential impact on the local community.
The New Mexico Department of Wildlife has suspended stocking the lake with new trout until the water conditions improve. The department has also advised visitors to report any additional dead fish to their Information Center. The incident highlights the importance of addressing the ongoing drought and heatwave in the region to protect the lake’s ecosystem.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
