Investigation Underway After Fish Kill Spans 20 Miles on Chattahoochee River

A fish kill stretching at least 20 miles along the Chattahoochee River south of Atlanta is under investigation by the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

The event was first detected where Peachtree Creek enters the river. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper executive director Jason Ulseth estimated thousands of dead fish and described the incident as the largest he has observed in 20 years with the organization.

Riverkeeper recorded a drop in dissolved oxygen levels coinciding with recent flooding. Ulseth said treated wastewater released during the flood may have contributed to the oxygen depletion. "All of the organic material of the river sucked it dry and depleted all of the oxygen to where it looked like pretty much anything that swims was dead for well over 20 miles," Ulseth said.

Testing showed the water is not harmful to humans, but the Riverkeeper advised avoiding the river between Atlanta and West Point Lake. The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, located farther upstream, remains unaffected. Commissioner Greg Eyerly of the Department of Watershed Management said the department takes incidents affecting the river seriously and that the investigation remains ongoing.

First test results from the joint effort are expected Tuesday or Wednesday.