A massive fish kill stretching at least 20 miles along the Chattahoochee River in Georgia is under investigation. The phenomenon, a sudden and unexpected death of fish, was first detected south of where Atlanta’s Peachtree Creek flows into the river, according to environmental group Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.
Executive director Jason Ulseth estimated thousands of dead fish are in the river, which forms part of the Georgia-Alabama border. He described the incident as the worst fish kill he has seen in 20 years with the organisation. “I've never seen a fish kill this massive,” he said.
The cause remains unclear, but Ulseth suggested recent flooding may have played a role. The Riverkeeper detected a drop in dissolved oxygen levels, essential for fish survival, at the time of the flood. Treated wastewater released by management agencies often has low oxygen levels, and the Chattahoochee may have received a sudden influx of this low-oxygen water during the flood.
“All of the organic material of the river sucked it dry and essentially depleted all of the oxygen to where it looked like pretty much anything that swims was dead for well over 20 miles,” Ulseth said. Riverkeeper’s testing indicated the water is not harmful to humans, but people are advised to avoid the river between Atlanta and West Point Lake.
The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management confirmed an ongoing investigation. Commissioner Greg Eyerly said, “The Department of Watershed Management takes incidents affecting the Chattahoochee River very seriously… Protecting the health of our waterways and the communities that depend on them remains one of our highest priorities.”
Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and DWM personnel are assessing affected areas and collecting water samples. Test results are not expected until Tuesday or Wednesday.
