A reported fish kill at Lake Contrary in St Joseph is being investigated by the Conservation Department.

In an announcement Thursday, the department claimed an estimated 20,000 fish have died at the lake due to a lack of oxygen brought on from this summers drought.

Most of the fish that have died are the invasive carp, according to Scott Ryan, MDC Regional fisheries supervisor.

The lake is a shallow oxbow lake formed by the changing Missouri River channel.  Fish started gasping for air several weeks ago, Ryan said.

The 215 acre lake has not been subject to flooding since the 1950’s.  Floods can scour old channels, like Lake Contrary, back to deeper depths, according to the Conservation Department.  Silt is continually making the lake shallower.

The more shallow water combined with low water levels and hot temperatures make lakes more prone to fish kills.

It’s one of several fish kills reported this summer as the drought lingers.