Contact: Roy Miller, Fisheries Section, phone: (302) 739-9914
or Acting Enforcement Chief Chip  McDaniel, Division of Air and Waste Management, phone: (302) 739-9401

DNREC Investigates Weekend Fish Kill in White Clay Creek

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is investigating a fish kill in the White Clay Creek that occurred over the weekend. The fish kill was reported to the department by two local anglers who spotted dead and dying fish.

On Monday, August 6, DNREC’s fisheries biologists inspected a stretch of the White Clay Creek where it joins the Christina River and the lower portion of Hershey Run, a small tributary of the White Clay Creek. Scientists observed a low number of dead fish, but noted that the area’s large amount of rain on Sunday could have moved the dead fish downstream or up into the marsh where the fish wouldn’t have been readily visible.

The fish kill is under investigation along with a sewage spill of approximately 5,000 gallons reported to DNREC by the New Castle County Department of Special Services. The county reported that the spill was caused by pump failure on August 4 at their sewage treatment station located at 248 Sears Blvd. near Hershey Run.

The public is asked to use common sense in the area and to report any sightings of dead fish to DNREC’s 24-hour environmental complaint line, in-state at 1-800-662-8802.
 

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