“Does anyone know why there are so many dead fish on the beach at Washoe Lake?”

We received this info from State Parks:

“According to the fisheries biologist from the Department of Wildife the fish are dying off due to the low lake levels and warm water temperatures. The fish are basically oxygen starved. Wildlife says there are too many fish competing for oxygen in too small a space. The small fish on the beach are Sacramento Perch. We are trying to pick the dead ones up the birds don’t eat and dispose of them.“

Donna Silva
Washoe Lake (State Park)

I suspect as the lake evaporates, this will continue- ed.

“Washoe Lake State Park is beautiful this time of year. The water level is down, most of the campers are gone, but the views remain stunning. A mid-week, late-afternoon stroll through the park yielded diverse fall colors, a few birds in the bird watching area and scenes like fine-art paintings. Click the image above to view a slide-show – and if you get a chance, spend an afternoon there, especially while it’s still warm.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Most of us tend to take where we live for granted, after living here several years, me included. It takes a reminder like this though, to get out and take some time to enjoy our valley like we’re seeing it for the first time, like “tourists in our hometown”.