The Muscle Shoals City Council heard from constituents in the Beacon Point neighborhood about a troubling situation during its July 14 meeting, according to WAFF.
Neighbors reported that thousands of dead fish and standing water had invaded their backyards, creating what some described as a “lake” of water behind the neighborhood.
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Neighborhood representative Billy Underwood spoke for about five minutes at Monday’s meeting, placing the blame on the city. He even referred to the area as “Lake Lockhart,” after Mayor Mike Lockhart.
Underwood described the swamp-like conditions in vivid terms.
“I went to some property on 6th Street. I thought a human being had died,” said Underwood. “There are health hazards, mosquitoes, rodents, and animals naturally that come from the swamp.”
WAFF reported that neighbors showed the station footage of thousands of tiny dead fish and pools of standing water, which they say attract mosquitoes.
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According to the report, Mayor Lockhart explained that the city began pumping excess water into the area in 2019 after flooding elsewhere. For the past six years, he said, the area has served as a place to divert water from neighborhood ponds, including one in nearby Nathan Estates.
“It just has to be a natural reduction as it goes out,” Lockhart said. “It’s not a designed retention; it just accumulates there. But again, like I said, it comes not just from our pump — it comes from everywhere.”
The mayor also explained that he was unaware of the dead fish before Monday and assured residents that the city takes flooding concerns seriously. He urged the public to contact his office with concerns, promising to help where possible.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].