We can’t tell you how saddened we are to report that the impoundment is again gasping for breath this morning. The pump was removed last week, and evidently the dissolved oxygen levels have been declining. Birds began to gather at “the corner,” and small menhaden began to float on the surface. Today we woke to a cacophony of bird sounds and the smell of rotting fish. The damage seems unavoidable and systemic– the mullet are swimming with their heads out of the water, flounder float belly up in multiple locations, high tide isn’t for hours, and even the crabs have decided to get as far out of the water as possible.
Observers on the dock are disheartened– as one said, “the only dead flounder I ever want to see is one on ice in my cooler.” We agree wholeheartedly, and wish there were something we could do the stave off a major event. A short slideshow is below.
It’s my understanding that the previous solution was too expensive for the long haul. There is talk of installing an electric pump that would be quieter, more energy efficient, and unobtrusive. The pump could be turned on with the flip of a switch and could recirculate water from the impoundment or pull in new water from outside the impoundment. Unfortunately, the installation of the electric pump is “stuck in committee.” The Environmental Program Board, Water Committee and POA Board all want to study it. No time. Time to act. Brian Asbill and I both pledge $250 towards the installation of a pump now. I hope the fish kill won’t spiral out of control exponentially. It takes at least 3 years for the large fish (red drum, flounder, etc.) in the impoundment to come back after a major kill. In addition to the negative impact a fish kill has on the environment and the people watching it, the effect on the staff is problematic. They’re facing the prospect of using backhoes and shovels to pull truck loads of smelly dead fish out of the impoundment. That’s a nasty job, especially if it could be avoided by installing or renting a pump. Installing an electric pump or renting a diesel pump until an electric pump can be installed might halt the fish kill. I vote for tackling the problem immediately.
I agree with you Reggie, you have my pledge of $250. for the installation of a pump now.
Pingback: August Fish Kill | Dewees Island Conservancy