The Town of High River along with Alberta Environment and Parks have partnered to eradicate Goldfish, also known as Prussian Carp once and for all from the Highwood Lake Storm Pond.

Eugene Lund, Operations Manager with the town says they tried to rid the system of the goldfish last year without success, most of which are not your standard sized goldfish either.

"We ended up removing almost 4,000 out of that pond. One was about as big as a large dinner plate, about a 12 inch diameter."

He says this year they'll use a pesticide called Rotenone a naturally occurring compound that is derived from the roots of a tropical plant of the bean family, and adds the chemical treatment is not harmful to humans, pets or other wildlife.

Lund says they have an idea of how they got there in the first place.

"As far as we know somebody decided they didn't want their goldfish anymore and, they decided to drop them into that pond for us, once they're in that pond they multiply very quickly."

Lund says it's a big problem but if the fish get through the storm system and into the river it'll be an even bigger problem.

"If they manage to work their way through the storm system and get into the Highwood River they would multiply even more and would crowd out the native species we already have in the river."

Releasing live fish into Alberta water bodies is illegal and carries penalties of $100,000 and/or one year in jail.

Crews will cordon off the pond from the public using fencing before applying the chemical during the week of September 20.