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Workers and volunteers helped plant 370 native aquatic plants at Bedford Boys Ranch Lake to help rebuild the lake\u2019s ecosystem after several fish died last year due to a spike in chlorine levels from an unknown source.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of the City of Bedford<\/p>\n
Almost a year after an unknown number of fish died<\/a> at the well-known Bedford Boys Ranch Lake<\/a>, city and state officials along with volunteers are joining forces to restore the delicate ecosystem.<\/p>\n According to a news release, the City of Bedford formed a partnership with the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife and \u201cdedicated volunteers\u201d to plant 370 native aquatic plants throughout the lake which included pickerelweed, water willow, and eelgrass.<\/p>\n The plants will help provide a native habitat for fish and other wildlife, improve water quality and create a healthier ecosystem throughout the lake.<\/p>\n Adding the native plants is building on an effort to restock fish which is part of a restoration plan developed with the Texas Parks and Wildlife.<\/p>\n Approximately 350 adult bluegill and 300 fingerling largemouth bass have been introduced into the lake.<\/p>\n Fisheries biologists say that restoring the lake after a significant fish loss requires rebuilding the ecosystem in stages.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are following TPWD\u2019s guidance by not stocking large numbers of adult bass too early, which can actually slow recovery by disrupting the balance between predator and forage species,\u201d according to the news release. \u201cInstead, the focus is on rebuilding the food chain and habitat first, allowing the fishery to recover naturally over time.\u201d<\/p>\n Molly Fox, a spokesperson for the city, said the restoration efforts began after an unknown number of fish died last July.<\/p>\n Test results showed that a spike in chlorine levels from an unknown source led to the massive fish kill, although turtles, ducks and other wildlife weren\u2019t affected.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n Workers and volunteers helped plant 370 native aquatic plants at Bedford Boys Ranch Lake to help rebuild the lake\u2019s ecosystem after several fish died last year due to a spike in chlorine levels from an unknown source. Courtesy of the City of Bedford <\/p>\n