Duluth Creek Sees Over One Thousand Dead Fish Wash Up

A Duluth creek has seen over one thousand dead fish wash ashore over the last week, leaving state agencies searching for answers.

According to a Northern News Now report, over one thousand dead fish have washed up along Tischer Creek in the city with no explanation. A number of local residents contacted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on August 1, reporting the strange phenomenon up and down the creek.

The reports prompted an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Officials say that so far, they’ve counted over 1,400 dead fish, mostly including Brook trout and minnows. The DNR also confirmed that all of the aquatic life in that portion of the creek had been affected by whatever caused the fish deaths.

In a statement, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says they’re still investigating the causes of the fish kill but early evidence indicates that it did not occur naturally. Their crews have collected samples of the fish and the waters where they were found hoping that analyzing the results will shed more light on the incident.

Their statement indicated that the fish kill occurred following a release of nearly 500,000 gallons of water from a reservoir owned by the City of Duluth. They also say that there is no evidence indicating that nearby construction operations contributed to the incident at this time.

Minnesota state agencies are asking Duluth residents to contact the Minnesota Duty Officer if they find any more dead fish in a nearby lake or river.