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Mercury Alert: Bass in East TN Rivers Unsafe
22 Aug
Summary
- Advisory issued for bass in Sevier and Knox counties.
- Mercury levels in black bass exceeded advisory limits.
- Specific groups advised to avoid fish consumption.
Elevated mercury levels have prompted officials to issue a consumption advisory for certain bass species in the French Broad River, affecting Sevier and Knox counties. The advisory, which extends from Fort Loudoun Reservoir upstream to Douglas Dam, was issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Testing conducted between 1998 and 2025 revealed an average mercury concentration of 0.42 milligrams per kilogram in black bass. This figure exceeds the state's threshold of 0.3 mg/kg for issuing a precautionary advisory. Consequently, vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, are urged to refrain from consuming any fish from these waters.
For the general population, consumption of bass from the affected stretch of the French Broad River should be limited to one meal per month. Other recreational activities in the area, such as boating and swimming, are deemed safe. A separate advisory has also been issued for fish from Mitchell Branch Stream in Roane County.
