State and local authorities continue to work together to investigate the recent fish kill in areas of Lake Greenwood in Greenwood County. The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) continue to perform assessments of Lake Greenwood; both agencies had staff assessing the lake by land and boat multiple days this week.  

At this time, the cause(s) of the fish kill has not been determined. Key updates include: 

• SCDES reports no unusual water quality data based on commonly measured water quality parameters.  
• The two drinking water intakes for providing public drinking water (Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works and Laurens County Water and Sewer Authority) are not located in areas where the fish kill has been observed, and both utilities have confirmed their drinking water is in compliance with all drinking water standards.   
• SCDNR reports no indication of diseases or concerns among the fish sampled.
• There have been no new reports of dead fish since April 20.  
• Two properties near the lake are under investigation:
  • The first property is the former Monsanto/Ascend site where ongoing environmental cleanup and monitoring are occurring. No connection has been found between this property and the fish kill at this time.
  • Three empty drums were identified approximately 20 feet from the lake at a second property nearby on April 30. SCDES investigated the area near the empty drums on May 1 using advanced technology to determine whether any other drums were buried at the site. No buried drums were identified at this site. SCDES also screened the empty drums and the soil around the drums for organic vapors, and none were detected.
  • There is an ongoing investigation of additional sites based on reports from the public.      
• Current water quality data does not indicate a concern for consuming fish. 

As was previously provided, some of the most frequent causes of fish kills are oxygen depletion, excessive algal blooms and high water temperatures. None of these common causes appear to have been a contributing factor to this fish kill. The property owner — GLH II, LLC — is fully cooperative.    

SCDES and SCDNR continue to investigate and will provide additional updates as new information becomes available. State officials encourage the public to follow trusted news sources for the most recent information. 

To report information related to this fish kill or any fish kill, contact SCDNR’s 24-hour reporting line at 1‑800‑922‑5431. 

SCDES, SCDNR and Greenwood County officials continue to work together to investigate the recent fish kill in an area of Lake Greenwood in Greenwood County.

Both state agencies continue to receive and review sample results as well as follow up on information provided by local residents in order to try to determine the cause.

Lake Greenwood has two drinking water intakes that supply public water systems: Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works and Laurens County Water and Sewer Authority. Neither of these drinking water intakes are located in areas where the fish kill has been observed. SCDES has been in contact with both facilities, and both report their finished water that is provided to customers is in compliance with all drinking water standards.

As was previously mentioned, some of the most frequent causes of fish kills are oxygen depletion, excessive algal blooms and high water temperatures. None of these common causes appear to have been a contributing factor to this fish kill.

State officials recommend people and pets refrain from contact with water in locations the fish kill has been observed, as referenced in this map.

Greenwood County Lake Management, SCDES and SCDNR will continue to investigate and provide additional updates as new information becomes available.

To report information related to this fish kill or any fish kill, contact SCDNR’s 24-hour reporting line at 1‑800‑922‑5431.

 

State and local authorities are working together to investigate a recent fish kill in an area of Lake Greenwood in Greenwood County. Greenwood County officials, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) were notified of several dead fish in the Cross Hill area of Lake Greenwood on April 13 after receiving reports from the public. The agencies have been investigating, and at this time, the cause(s) of the fish kill has not been determined. 

Greenwood County’s Lake Inspector and Lake Manager responded promptly to assess the situation and reported their findings to SCDNR, the state agency responsible for managing fish populations on the lake, and SCDES, the state agency responsible for monitoring ambient water quality.

SCDNR has collected fish samples for analysis, and SCDES has conducted assessments and collected water samples in the affected area. Additionally, as part of ongoing investigations, SCDES is contacting facilities located upstream of the fish kill to determine whether any operational issues have occurred and to request their latest monitoring results.  

SCDNR reports the fish kill has impacted mixed species, including crappie, yellow perch, flathead catfish, striped bass and bluegill. The majority of reports related to the fish kill have been localized to the lower portion of the lake, below the lower train trestle. Isolated reports of single dead fish in other areas of the lake are likely not related to this incident.

Fish kills, which are instances when large numbers of fish die suddenly within a body of water, are relatively common and can be caused by various environmental, biological and human-related factors. Some of the most frequent causes of fish kills are oxygen depletion, excessive algal blooms and high water temperatures. None of these common causes have been observed at this time with this particular fish kill.  

Greenwood County Lake Management, SCDES and SCDNR will continue to investigate and provide additional updates as new information becomes available.

To report information related to this fish kill or any fish kill, contact SCDNR’s 24-hour reporting line at 1‑800‑922‑5431.