HCA pinpoints cause of Valens Lake carp deaths

Ecologists believe they’ve discovered why a large number of carp died at Valens Lake Conservation Area over the weekend.

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The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) says the cause of the die-off, based on the symptoms observed on the fish, is thought to be Koi herpes virus (KHV).

Carp are a non-native species in Valens Lake and the virus is thought to have entered through the improper introduction of infected fish or water.

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KHV affects only carp, koi, and goldfish and is not a risk to human health.

HCA staff are working to remove the affected fish from the lake.