When the island staff arrived on the island this morning, the water surface looked like it was being pelted by raindrops.  The fish were mouthing the water, trying to get some oxygen.  Some fish had already started dying.

The staff set out on an action plan to try to avert a major fish kill:

• Setup the island’s 3 inch pump at the crabbing dock.  Pull water out of the impoundment and pump it right back in.  The pumping action oxygenates the water.
• Use the island fire truck to circulate water from the impoundment at the dry fire hydrant closest to the Landings Building.  The fire department found that the dry fire hydrant is clogged.  So they’re pulling water with a siphon hose.
• Rent a 6 inch diesel pump for a week to circulate water.  The diesel pump is scheduled to arrive this afternoon.

These actions seem to have halted the fish kill, at least for this morning.  The fish have stopped mouthing the air.

In the long run, the island may find it cheaper to come up with alternative solutions for preventing fish kills.  In recent years, the rice truck has failed many times due to rot.  Rebuilding the rice truck with concrete under the waterline (or some material that won’t rot) so the Environmental Director can manage the impoundment would help.  The rebuilt rice truck could look just like it does today above the waterline.

The island might also want to consider more bubblers, perminant pumps, and other methods of maintaining the oxygen level in the impoundment during very hot weather.  Several committees and engineers have examined the problem over the years.

Several other barrier island are reporting fish kills in their impoundments this year.  It’s a common problem.  But one that we should try to solve.