The murky water in the raceways is caused by the nutrient-rich water from the supply lake, further enriched by fish wastes in the raceways. Lakes and ponds in Kansas tend to be very high in nutrients since these bodies of water receive most of their inflow as runoff from rich agricultural lands. The high level of nutrients in the water is not harmful to the fish. This condition, however, combined with the natural tendency of the fish to stay at the bottom, makes it very difficult to view the fish. Look for fish at the south end of the raceways where the feeders are located and the incoming water is fresh.
All hatcheries experience some fish mortalities.
Dead fish are more apparent at Milford because they're visible in the race-ways until removed. In pond culture, they die and sink to the bottom or are consuined by birds or animals. Fish raised at Milford stay in Kansas and are used to stock reservoirs, state fishing lakes and community lakes. Sometimes fish may be traded with other states that accommodate a demand for a species which is not produced here. Species we annually obtain from other states include striped bass, wipers, and trout.