To Brushy Creek MUD residents:

We would like to address a recent and unfortunate incident that occurred in the duck pond at Shirley McDonald Park in the District’s Brushy Creek South neighborhood.

On Tuesday, Sept. 26, Brushy Creek residents noticed there were several fish in the pond that were either deceased or bobbing for air. We understand that this incident has raised questions about the water quality in the pond and the well-being of its aquatic life.

We want to clarify that the reason behind the loss of aquatic life was not related to water quality, but rather a sudden temperature shift brought about by the major hailstorm that passed through the District Sunday evening, Sept. 24.

The sudden temperature fluctuation had a significant impact on the water temperature in the pond. Fish are sensitive to rapid temperature changes, and unfortunately, this led to the loss of some of the amphibious life in the pond.

In response to this incident, our dedicated team at the Brushy Creek MUD took immediate action. We conducted water quality tests to ensure there were no underlying issues with the pond, and the results confirmed that the water quality remained within acceptable parameters and posed no harm to the aquatic ecosystem or anyone who may visit the Shirley McDonald Park pond.

To further troubleshoot the matter, our team cleaned the pond’s aerator filter, but we found no issues coming from that machinery.

We want to emphasize that our response to this incident was driven by our concern for the fish and our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of care for our community’s parks and recreational spaces. We understand this incident was distressing, and we share your disappointment.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to maintain the beauty and integrity of our community’s natural resources. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us, as your feedback is invaluable.

Thank you for being a valued member of the Brushy Creek Community, and we look forward to your continued involvement and enjoyment of our parks and recreational areas.