Fish moved from Burslem Park as water levels drop

A RESCUE operation is set to get underway to save fish from Burslem Park lake, after a suspected leak has led to vastly reduced water levels.

Fish moved from Burslem Park as water levels drop

A RESCUE operation is set to get underway to save fish from Burslem Park lake, after a suspected leak has led to vastly reduced water levels.

Council officers have been monitoring the lake’s water levels over the past few weeks, and an underwater survey is to be carried out using water proof cameras to identify the source of the leak. Officers are also regularly checking oxygen levels in the water – which, although show no cause for alarm, are being helped by the fountain aerating the water.

Burslem Park opened to the public in 1894, and the informal lake covers the site of an old colliery air shaft.

It is expected that the fish will be moved in the next few days – to Tiddlers Pool in Berry Hill fields.

Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for housing and environment, said: “Although the oxygen levels are still ok, the lower levels of water are making the fish easy targets for predator species, which could be further exacerbated if there was a sudden drop in water.

“Wildlife health is being monitored by staff at the park, and thankfully we haven’t seen any sudden fish deaths and no concerns regarding wildlife at this stage. But we need to find a permanent solution to the water issue to protect this important historical asset, which is a much-loved public amenity.”

“While this is being done – we thought it best to temporarily move the fish to a safe place.”

The Environment Agency (EA) have been consulted and supportive of this approach, which is expected to take around a day to complete.

Both the park lake and Tiddler’s Pool are isolated and do not have outlets to the river network.

Residents are reminded that fish should never be moved to other waters as they could spread disease or invasive species by accident, which can damage fish and other wildlife in the area. Anyone who sees a fish in distress can report them to the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.