Hundreds of dead fish have been spotted floating on a lake, leaving residents “very upset”.

Mum Hayley Porter was walking around Singleton Lake in Ashford with her son and partner when they made the gruesome discovery yesterday afternoon.

Pictures sent to KentOnline show scores of small fish floating on the surface of the council-owned site.

But despite residents’ concerns over possible pollution, the Environment Agency says it believes the deaths were caused by oxygen levels in the water.

The authority says its officers have been to the site this week to investigate the incident.

A spokesperson said: “Specialist environment officers have been at Singleton Lake to investigate the deaths of fish over the weekend.

“While enquiries continue, they strongly believe reduced oxygen levels were to blame, when heavy rain replaced a long dry spell.

“They found no evidence of pollution.”

Sudden changes in weather conditions – particularly when prolonged dry spells are followed by heavy rain – can trigger algal blooms in lakes.

These blooms reduce the oxygen levels in the water, leading to the death of fish.

The EA says it has provided the council with advice on how to manage the water to reduce the risk of future incidents.

“We thank the members of the public who contacted our 24-hour incident hotline about the fish on 0800 807060,” the spokesman added.

“Anyone else who suspects pollution in our lakes and rivers is also asked to do so.”

Ms Porter said the incident is “really upsetting for everyone” who visits the lake.

“It ruins it for everyone who likes to take the time to visit the lake and appreciate it,” she said.

In 2023, more than 700 fish were found dead in the River Stour, in Wye, due to both the higher temperatures and low atmospheric pressure caused by the thunderstorms.

The EA says it regularly receives reports of suspected sewage pollution that are instead due to a breakdown of algal blooms.

Throughout the summer, algae forms because the temperatures are warmer and there is more sunlight, but when they break down, their appearance and smell may be mistaken for sewage.

Both give off an unpleasant smell; however, it says foam on the water’s surface is more likely to be the result of an algal bloom breaking down than sewage.

Read More: Why are so many fish dying in Kent and is climate change a factor?

Algal blooms often occur between April and August, and long lines can be seen off headlands lying parallel to the coast.

Singleton Lake is owned and managed by Ashford Borough Council, which has been approached for comment.