Village Spawns Idea To Help Fish Mate

If you were wondering what was happening at Argyle Lake Park on Tuesday afternoon, you were not alone. The construction equipment near the dried waterfalls attracted quite a few people.

Babylon Village crews were hard at work installing a fish ladder on the western side of the waterfalls facing Montauk Highway, temporarily stopping water from entering Argyle Lake or the waterfalls during the day Tuesday.

Mayor Ralph Scordino was on hand as crews lowered pieces of the new ladder into an area off to the side of the waterfalls.

"This ladder will help fish that live in the salt or brackish waters south get back into the fresh waters to give birth," Scordino told Patch. 

The project, he said, was funded through a grant by Seatuck Environmental Association, a "not-for-profit, member-supported, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the conservation of Long Island's wildlife and environment, through education, research and advocacy," according to their website.

The group similarly installed a fish ladder in Massapequa within the last few years to help the fish get back up to freshwater areas, such as Babylon Village's will allow fish to retreat to areas like Southards' Pond.

"We might even install a camera in there so we can watch the fish go up the ladder," Scordino said. "Everyone will be able to watch them head back north through the lake."

It was not said when the project would be finished at Argyle Park.