Fish kill on the salt fork/arkansas river

[becker_atc]

Heard about this through a friend that lives back home near my parents. The family farm is in the big bend of the arkansas, have not talked to my folks yet about it. Didn't see anything posted about this.


http://www.poncacitynews.com/Fish-Kill-Still-Under-Investigation#comments They have pics and such

6/18/2013






By SHARON ROWEN



News Staff Writer



SALT FORK RIVER — The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality believes there could be two separate fish kills in the vicinity of the Salt Fork and Arkansas Rivers.



DEQ spokeswoman Skylar McElhaney said there is not enough information to know for sure.



The first report of dead fish in the area was made June 4 and a second report was made this week.



“A fish kill where the Salt Fork River meets the Arkansas River, which is Highway 177 on the Kay/Noble County line under the bridge, has been reported to DEQ. Our reports indicate there are hundreds of dead fish of various sizes and species. The State Environmental Laboratory at DEQ is sending an employee from its sampling assistance team to assist with sampling,” said McElhaney.



Tim Glaser, who lives on the river, said he spent most of Monday taking DEQ environmentalist Brian Maggot up and down the river on a speed boat.



Attempts to reach Maggot for comment failed.



Glaser said he has lived near the river all of his life and calls this the worst fish kill he has ever seen.



“It is a happy day for the buzzards and a sad day for the fishermen,” said Glaser. “It will be a long time before any big fish are caught on this river again.”



Glaser said officials estimate 200 dead fish per mile on the Salt Fork River.



“It is dead fish from here all the way to Interstate 35,” he said from under the Highway 177 bridge.



Many of the fish are Paddlefish which are protected by law. Poachers target Paddlefish for their eggs.



Other dead fish include Flatheads and Blue Catfish, some weighing approximately 60 pounds.



Glaser said some fish grow close to a pound a year so he believes some of the fish are close to 60 years old.



Angela Reiheld, who also lives on the river, said she is concerned that officials are not getting the word out to the public about the issue.



Reiheld said her family noticed dead mussels on the river four days ago.



“When I called the Ponca City DEQ office the first question he asked me is if I was a reporter,” she said. “They wouldn’t tell me anything until I gave them my name and address. Then they told me not to drink the water or eat the fish. It concerns me that he didn’t want to talk to the media.”



Reiheld said she was told samples of the fish, mussels and water had been taken.



Attempts to reach the Ponca City DEQ office failed.



Glaser said he was told that officials believe the fish kill has been caused by a salt water dump possibly as far away as The Great Salt Plains.



McElhaney said it is still early in DEQ’s investigation and that the cause is trying to be determined. She said DEQ will continue to work with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation on the matter.



McElhaney added that a specific water warning for the area has not been issued but that there is a general warning that advises to stay away from areas that have dead fish.

 

[deli_llama]

That is sad. I hope this is resolved, and the responsible parties are dealt with.

 

[dennishoddy]

I drive over the river twice a day. Yesterday, after hearing about this, I stopped on the bridge and looked over the side. It was pretty sickening seeing dozens of catfish up to 40 pounds washed up in a brush pile. Blues, flatheads, channels, bass, and others belly up.

What disturbs me Is that's its been so hush-hush. I'm sure it's because the investigation is on going.

 

[JKinds]

Does anyone have any idea what possibly caused it?

 

[Deer Slayer]

Low D O is speculated by staff. Tests are supposed to being run currently.

 

[dennishoddy]

There is also a possibility of an illegal saltwater dump in a feeder creek or ditch. I stopped on the bridge again today, and most of the fish I saw had been dead for several days.

Dozens of turtles in the area. None eating the fish. Perhaps they are already full from eating others.

I have 1/4 mile of Salt Fork River frontage on the west side of I35. I went there tonight, and found one dead carp that had been there for a few days, and saw lots of small fish swimming. Looked for carcasses, but didn't see anything but the carp. I'll be back over there tomorrow, and will check out some of the deep holes and see if anything is floating there.

 

[dennishoddy]

Took this pic from the bridge. Should be in the 20lb class. Couldn't tell what type of cat it was.

 

[becker_atc]

How long does it take to recover from something like this generally? This has me thinking that my fishing might be ruined at my folks place for the summer maybe.

 

[dennishoddy]

Took this pic from the bridge. Should be in the 20lb class. Couldn't tell what type of cat it was.

<img src="https://www.okshooters.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30456"/>

I'm having a hard time with the low oxygen levels with 60 degree nights and 80 degree days on top of the 4-5" rains, plus this is the second kill. The rainfall map pic is from the last 30 days on mesonet.

 

[dennishoddy]

How long does it take to recover from something like this generally? This has me thinking that my fishing might be ruined at my folks place for the summer maybe.

I don't think the Arkansas or Sooner will be affected much. The COE has been letting a lot of water out in the evenings for the hydro, so anthing killing the fish in the Salt Fork should get diluted I hope.

According to the article you posted, The big resident fish in the salt fork are done. 50 years to grow some new ones, but with any luck the typical high water flows in the spring will bring some up from keystone and the feeder creeks above and below the Salt Fork.