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ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD - Six dead bison floating in Fisherman Lake Creek are unlikely to affect the water quality in nearby lakes, streams or for local consumption, according to staff with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The department's office in Fort Liard has been fielding calls from residents who are concerned about the carcasses. Some callers have asked for the animals to be removed, said Nic Larter, the regional biologist with the department.

"We're kind of monitoring the situation," said Larter.

"There's nothing we can do."

The calls first began in December. People reported that at least two bison had died but when an officer from the hamlet went to confirm the deaths he was unable to find the bodies, said Larter.

More reports came in January. but it wasn't until April 24 that the bodies were discovered.

An officer took pictures of six bison in different areas along a kilometre-long stretch of the creek starting at its mouth. It doesn't appear that the bodies have drifted which means the bison tried to cross in different areas but all suffered the same fate, said Larter.

"It's one of those things, Mother Nature throws curves at them," he said.

Residents in the area are concerned about contamination from the decomposing carcasses. Fisherman Lake Creek is located at the south end of Fisherman Lake and drains towards the Liard River.

There are a number of cabins located around the lake and some people live there almost year round.

Larter said he's heard concerns about possible effects on the lake's water quality as well as the hamlet's drinking water.

"They're going to contaminate the creek," said John Gonet, a Fort Liard resident.

"They can't leave them there."

However, Larter said it would be "very difficult" for any possible contaminants to flow back up the creek into the lake.

The nearest cabin is located quite a way up on the northeast shore. There is a large distance between the bodies and the community of Fort Liard. The creek twists for approximately 30 km before draining into the Liard River. There is then an additional 10 km before the river reaches the community.

Larter said with those factors in mind "It's highly unlikely," the bison are a potential health hazard.

"It's one grain of sand in the Sahara," he said referring to how watered down any contaminants would be.

John McKee, the hamlet's senior administrative officer, said he isn't concerned about the carcasses.

The community doesn't draw drinking water directly from the river. The hamlet has two ground water wells and the water is tested and treated, he said.

The department has no plans at this point to remove the carcasses. The deaths are a naturally occurring, if unfortunate, situation, said Larter. There's also a possibility that the ice break-up on the creek will wash the bodies out, he said.

Staff will be touring the area at some point to reassess the situation, Larter said.

Larter expects the issue will be raised during a meeting the department is holding in the hamlet on May 14. The public meeting will be on both the draft NWT Bison Strategy and bison issues.