Home / Environment / Maryland Farm's Manure Spill Kills 11,000 Fish
Maryland Farm's Manure Spill Kills 11,000 Fish
7 Oct
Summary
- Nearly 11,000 fish died across 25 species in Basin Run.
- A manure lagoon overflow at Kilby Farms is the suspected cause.
- The farm faces lawsuits and contempt requests for pollution violations.
An overflow from a manure lagoon at Kilby Farms in Cecil County, Maryland, has resulted in the death of nearly 11,000 fish spanning 25 species in Basin Run. This significant fish kill, discovered in early October 2026, is considerably larger than a similar event at the same farm in 2025. State officials are investigating the incident, which occurred while the dairy farm faces ongoing legal challenges.
Basin Run, an ecologically important stream in northeast Maryland flowing into the Susquehanna River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay, was affected for over four miles. Residents described the scene as unprecedented, with foamy water and dead fish, including trout and eels, lining the banks.
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is treating the situation seriously and has obtained a preliminary injunction against the facility. Kilby Farms is also subject to a lawsuit for alleged repeated discharges of manure and pollutants, contravening a 2025 settlement designed to halt pollution.
Compounding the issue, Kilby Farms reportedly lacks the necessary permit coverage for its large-animal operation. MDE testing has revealed depleted water quality and reduced aquatic life downstream from the farm. The state is seeking a civil contempt finding against the dairy, with a hearing scheduled for October 13 in Cecil County.
Farm representatives have contested the state's findings, suggesting that pollution may originate from upstream tributaries and citing efforts and expenditures on compliance. Despite these claims, state officials maintain that violations have persisted. The outcome of the upcoming hearing could establish stricter enforcement precedents for agricultural pollution.
