Dead Fish Seen At Pond In Livingston, Heat Wave Partly To Blame

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Some fish have died at a pond in Livingston, with the recent heat wave and low oxygen levels both contributing to the deaths, local officials say.

The township posted an update about the situation at Littell’s Pond on Wednesday, noting that residents have contacted Town Hall with their concerns.

According to the township, there has been an ongoing effort to improve oxygen levels in the pond and address an overgrowth of vegetation that has developed due to nitrate-laden sediment buildup.

In May, oxygen levels in the pond were reported to be low – primarily due to excessive algae and weed growth. These conditions can lead to an oxygen deficit in the water, which can be harmful to fish and other aquatic life, officials reported.

To address the problem, the township awarded a contract for the dredging of the nutrient-rich sediment and the installation of a new aeration pump and fountain system. That work began earlier this week and is actively ongoing.

“Unfortunately, the recent heat wave has further depleted the oxygen in the pond, resulting in the death of some fish,” the town’s advisory continued.

“It’s important to note that this is not a result of the dredging work – the fish would likely have died regardless, due to the heat and existing oxygen deficiency caused by the vegetation,” officials said.

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The Livingston Department of Public Works is cleaning the pond of the dead fish, while the contractor continues the dredging and aeration system installation. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

Once finished, the new fountain will be reinstalled and the pond water will be tested to ensure oxygen and water quality levels are safe and stable, the town’s advisory states.

Mass fish deaths have taken place at other bodies of water in Essex County over the past decade.

In August 2024, clusters of deceased fish were spotted at the Orange Reservoir near the South Mountain Recreation Complex. A fish pathologist was dispatched to the site to take water samples and conduct an investigation.

• See Related: Dead Fish Found In Orange Reservoir; Essex County Investigates Cause

In June 2023, clumps of fish were spotted floating atop an 80-acre lake in Weequahic Park, which is located in Newark. An initial report received indicated healthy levels of oxygen in the water, officials said. See Related: Dead Fish Found In Newark Lake – But Don’t Blame Wildfire, Expert Says

In 2008, more than two dozen fish died at Branch Brook Park due to an overgrowth of bacteria that caused a lack of oxygen in the water.

The phenomenon extends beyond Essex County, with mass dish deaths being reported across the state.

A massive fish kill piled up in a lagoon in Little Egg Harbor Township in July 2024, with the NJDEP blaming warmer temperatures and poor water quality.

In 2023, dozens of dead fish were seen floating in a pond in Summit. Most of the dead fish were identified by Union County as large carp, which don't belong in any of the lakes in the area, and certainly not one as small as Briant Pond, officials said. See Related: Dozens Of Dead Fish Found Floating In Union County Pond

In 2021, a major water main break that resulted in a loss of tap water throughout Central New Jersey also indirectly killed thousands of fish in Lake Creighton in Middlesex Borough, according to the NJDEP. See Related: Thousands Of Fish Died In Middlesex Co. Lake Due To Main Break

According to the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife agency, fish kills can be related to a number of causes, including infectious diseases, toxic substances, or suboptimal environmental conditions. Fish kills most commonly occur in the spring and summer when water temperatures are rising.

If a fish kill is observed it should be reported immediately to the 24/7 DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337), the agency says.

There are several important observations to make when reporting a fish kill, officials add:

• What is the approximate number of dead fish?
• Is it only one species of fish that is dying or are there a number of different species affected?
• Is there an unusual color or odor to the water?
• Are there any other dead organisms (i.e. amphibians, reptiles, insects, or plant life) present?

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