Large Fish Kill Reported on Brier Creek
Dear River Lovers,
Earlier this evening I received a call at our office alerting me to a large fish kill occurring on Brier Creek in Burke County. At aprox. 5pm this afternoon I was on-site, and in fact did discover an ongoing fish kill. At this point, I do not have a lot of answers of why, or even what is killing the fish, but felt it imperative to alert our members to this ongoing issue, and caution them to take care when using this waterway until further tests are completed. Please if you are fishing, drinking, or swimming in this creek, cease doing so until we have a firm grasp on the causes of this kill and the potential harm to human health.
Your Savannah Riverkeeper, Tonya Bonitatibus
Do you have information:
If you have information about this case, please call us at 706 826-8991
What we know right now:
1. land owners noticed the black water creek starting to turn clear on Friday
2. Saturday they noticed the fish starting to die off
3. this is a larger fish kill, encompassing all sizes and many different types of fish
4. there are 4 kaolin mines with discharge permits within the suspected fish kill origination zone
5. no one along the creek was alerted and one town, Waynesboro, pulls its drinking water from the creek
6. this beautiful black water creek is crystal clear, a color it should never be, and indicates a large problem
7. GA Environmental Protection Division has an "ongoing case" right now with an enforcement action in the works
8. I do not have water quality chemistries at this time, we will have shortly
9. EPD has been on site since Sun am.
10. initial reports of a truck spill being responsible have been ruled out as the cause of the kill
Fish Kills can happen for a variety of reasons. Common causes seen in GA and SC are:
1. Dissolved Oxygen Drop- when the O2 becomes dangerously low the fish can not survive, usually in such an instance the larger fish will die first. This is one of the most common causes of pond fish die offs.
2. Illicit Discharge from Industrial or Municipal wastewater- when a wastewater outfall or pond does not meet necessary water quality requirements, it can cause a large stress on the environment. and kill the organisms living in the water. Often in such instances a wide variety of fish, of varying size and species are seen.
This creek is usually black making it very difficult to see through. The clarity of this waterway is indicative of a problem and hints to the possibility of an additive that causes settling being introduced to the creek.
Next Steps:
Over the next couple of days we will be launching a full investigation into the causes of this fish kill, and exactly how those responsible will be held accountable for their actions. Our most immediate course of action is to ensure that those using the waterway are alerted and kept up to date as this case progresses. We will be holding a public meeting in the Keysville area in the next week. More information about this meeting will be shared at a later date.
How Can You Help?
Please if you are able, make a contribution today. Your funds are greatly needed, and will help us complete this case as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible.http://www.savannahriverkeeper.org/donate.shtml
Help us spread the word. Please pass this e-mail along to your friends and family. It is through our members that we find our greatest relationships, and right now we need your help. Help us let everyone know what's happening on Brier Creek.
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