Home / Environment / Castle Moat Crisis: Fish Saved by Oxygen Pumps
Castle Moat Crisis: Fish Saved by Oxygen Pumps
24 Sep
Summary
- Fish in a castle moat were distressed due to low oxygen levels.
- Oxygen pumps were used for two weeks to improve water quality.
- Hot weather and thunderstorms were identified as causes for low oxygen.
Fish in the moat of Kirby Muxloe Castle in Leicestershire were recently in distress due to severely low dissolved oxygen levels. The Environment Agency responded to reports on August 30, finding the water quality inadequate for the fish. English Heritage, which manages the historic site, confirmed that oxygen pumps were actively used for about two weeks.
This intervention was a collaborative effort involving English Heritage, the Environment Agency, and the Kirby Muxloe 87 fishing club. Experts suggested that a combination of hot weather, which reduces water's capacity to hold oxygen, and intense summer thunderstorms, which can wash pollutants into watercourses, likely caused the issue. The aeration efforts concluded last week, and oxygen levels have since improved. English Heritage, alongside the fishing club, is continuing to monitor the moat's condition. Access to fish in the moat requires membership in the Kirby Muxloe 87 fishing club.
