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Thousands of dead fish found as E. coli contaminates Chattahoochee
28 May
Summary
- Thousands of dead fish stretch 20 miles downstream from Atlanta.
- E. coli levels in the Chattahoochee River are nearly five times safe limits.
- Recent heavy rains caused sewer overflows and pollutant runoff into the river.
Heavy rainfall in Atlanta has caused severe ecological damage to the Chattahoochee River, resulting in thousands of dead fish found over a 20-mile stretch south of the city.
Monitoring by the U.S. Geological Survey revealed alarming E. coli levels in the river, with some testing locations reporting levels nearly five times the safe limit of 235 colony counts per 100 mL of water. As of May 21, readings at Paces Ferry reached 1100, Medlock Bridge at 490, and Powers Ferry at 560.
The contamination and fish kill are a result of multiple environmental factors. Months of drought had lowered river flow, increasing pollutant concentration. Additionally, stormwater runoff carried high levels of pollutants and nutrients, and a likely sewer system overflow discharged untreated water and polluted runoff directly into Peachtree Creek and the river.
