Pollution from seeping contaminated water in the mountain east of Leadville may be killing brown trout in the Arkansas River, a Colorado Division of Wildlife official said Monday. Greg Policky, aquatic biologist with the Salida division office, said tests within the last year by an independent company above and below California Gulch demonstrate a significant fish population decline below its confluence with the river. After comparing results of four test sites, one above and three below California Gulch, the one above the site showed little change. Testing included one site immediately below the gulch and two others along 6 miles downstream. Regarding the others Policky said, "All three were flat when compared with above California Gulch. I'm comfortable saying the seepage is a contributing factor in the decline, but not the sole factor."

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