An equipment malfunction at a fish hatchery that supplies local trout will lead to reductions in the fish in Rockbridge County rivers and streams.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources said the malfunction happened at Coursey Springs Fish Hatchery in Millboro.
“A recent equipment malfunction in combination with historically low water supply due to the drought and seasonal pathogens have resulted in the loss of approximately 130,000 trout,” the VDWR said in a press release.
Officials said a recirculation pump shut off overnight and led reduced water flow and oxygen levels in the fish tanks.
“The additional stress on the fish made them particularly susceptible to pathogens in the natural water source,” officials said.
Coursey Springs raises rainbow, brown, and brook trout which are stocked in 72 waters across 11 counties including Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Fauquier, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren.
No scheduled stockings will be canceled.
“The Department will divert any excess trout from the other cold-water hatcheries to supplement stocking efforts in the affected area,” officials wrote.
