Cause of fish kill in Duluth’s Tischer creek still being investigated by state agencies
Dead fish lie in Tischer Creek in Duluth, Minnesota, Aug. 5, 2024. They MPCA investigated the site after a report was made to the Minnesota Duty Officer about the release of about 500,000 gallons of city water from a reservoir July 31, 2024. More than 1,000 dead fish, including brook trout, were counted. (Photo by MPCA watershed ecologist Jeff Jasperson)
A mysterious fish kill has happened in Tischer creek in Duluth and environmental scientists are not sure why.
The Minnesota pollution control agency and department of natural resources responded to a fish kill at Tischer creek Thursday, August 1st and although they are uncertain as to what caused it, their investigation is showing evidence that it did not occur naturally.
The fish kill was observed following a release reported by the city of Duluth to the Minnesota duty officer of between 400,000 to 500,000 gallons of water from a reservoir owned by the city of Duluth. The MPCA has no evidence to indicate that nearby construction contributed to the fish kill.
Beverly Godfrey, communications specialist with the MPCA confirmed with WDIO News that more than 1,000 dead fish, including brook trout, were counted.