NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Dozens of dead fish are floating in New Orleans City Park’s lagoon.
“I’ve come here every day for 15 years. I live in Lakeview, and this is the perfect spot to exercise,” said Lakeview resident Ed Drinker.
Lately, for Drinker, his perfect spot to exercise in City Park sure stinks.
“The dead fish, you can smell while running along the route. Probably 15-20% of the route has some dead fish on it,” said Drinker.
Dozens of dead fish and invasive aquatic plants are floating on the lagoon on the north side of City Park along Marconi Drive between Fillmore Avenue and Allen Touissant Boulevard.
“It has spread throughout the park and that concerns me. Also, the green algae is worse than I’ve ever seen it,” said Drinker.
In a statement, Keith Claverlie with City Park Conservancy said:
“City Park Conservancy is working closely with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and other consultants, to determine the exact cause of the recent depletion on the north side of City Park. We believe historically low water levels along with invasive aquatic plants played a factor as these are particularly disruptive to the park’s sensitive waterway system.”
“As far as what the park can do, I am not sure what they can do at this point,” said Drinker.
In the meantime, as he exercises, Drinker said he will just listen to his radio, to take his mind off of what he is smelling.
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