Shenandoah River Fish Kill Investigation

Transcription

1 Shenandoah River Fish Kill Investigation Steve Reeser Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Don Kain Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

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3 River Fisheries Important to VA Anglers VA 2000 Angler Survey by O Neill and McMullin Types of water fished by respondents Large lakes or reservoirs Small public lakes Warmwater rivers and streams Public coldwater rivers and streams Private lakes and ponds Percent

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10 April 2004 & 2005 Fish Kills Increased Flow due to precipitation Increased Turbidity Rapid Water Temperature Fluctuations Fish Develop Lesions Mortality July

11 2006 Fish Kills March Extreme low flow conditions Below average water temperatures Fish developed lesions Mortality

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17 Estimated 80% loss of the adult smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish 75 miles of NF Shenandoah (2004) 100+ miles of SF Shenandoah (2005).

18 Why mainly these two species? Why Adults?

19 DEQ and citizen monitoring water quality data did not show anything out of the ordinary. No known virus or other pathogen detected. **Fish tested by USFWS Fish Disease Lab in Lamar, PA and Virginia Tech Vet. Lab

20 Shenandoah River Fish Kill Task Force State DEQ, DGIF, DCR Federal USGS, USFWS, Citizens Riparian Landowners Citizen Monitoring Groups: FOSR, FONF Anglers / Fishing Guides Chesapeake Bay Foundation Shenandoah Pure Water Forum Canaan Valley Institute Potomac Conservancy University Researchers (VA Tech, JMU, VCU) Agriculture Reps

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22 Shenandoah River Fish Kill Task Force Mission: To evaluate the potential factors resulting in fish lesions and mortality, with a goal of identifying causative agent(s), and communicating our findings to those who can promote or implement corrective actions.

23 Shenandoah River Fish Kill Task Force Hypotheses Algae Bacteria Ammonia Sediment Contaminants Aquatic Macrophytes Pathogens Parasites Water Temperature Agricultural Chemicals Agricultural Density Manure Applications Biosolids Immune Suppression Chronic Stressors Body Burden Fish Health Population Density Meth Labs

24 Shenandoah River Fish Kill Task Force Step 1 Identify and evaluate all hypotheses of Cause(s) Step 2 Rule out those that can be eliminated and develop a focused investigation on remaining possible causes. Continued meeting monthly

25 More detailed investigation needed: Water quality Fish health Fish physiological response Phytoplankton / Aquatic Vegetation Pathogens Emerging Contaminants

26 Ammonia Nutrients DEQ Water Quality Study Water Quality Parameters Focus on baseline flows and runoff events Funded by General Assembly

27 USGS Water Resources, Richmond, VA Continuous real time monitoring of ammonia and nutrients at USGS Gauge sites on North and South Forks Shenandoah River. Funding from General Assembly via DEQ

28 DGIF / USGS Leetown Science Center Fish Health Study Signs of Chronic stress Immune suppression Funded by General Assembly

29 USGS Leetown Science Center, WV Quantitative mapping of attached algae in North Fork Shenandoah River. Internal funding from USGS Virginia Tech Use of Aquatic Insects to Evaluate Fish Kills in the Shenandoah River Watershed. Funding by VDGIF

30 Virginia Commonwealth University Survey of Fish,Water, and sediments for DNA markers of toxic microbes Expand INSTAR program to Shenandoah Valley (Fish community evaluation) James Madison University Review and analysis of temperature, rainfall, and flow patterns within the Shenandoah River Watershed.

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32 Some Preliminary Findings 2006 Real time data showing very high daily ph fluctuation (early Spring) Total ammonia levels low (but toxicity questionable) River temperature 3 C warmer in recent years and warming earlier in the year. Tests for known fish viruses negative High numbers of parasites in the fish Intersex found in all waters even Cowpasture River Economic impact significant * Data collection and analysis for several projects continuing

33 Loss of $685,000 (2005)

34 Complex Chronic Compounding of Stressors? What has changed in these watersheds in recent years? What makes this watershed different from others not observing fish kills? Across the entire Watershed

35 Possible Future Research and Monitoring Stricter Hypothesis Based Science Plan: (Using VEERF $$) Contract with scientific experts from academic institutions; Formation of a Scientific Oversight Committee Extensive literature review Compile all existing data from Shenandoah Watershed into a central database Detailed analysis of existing data (highlight data gaps) Produce Shenandoah Fish Kill Science Plan January 2007 (recommendations for future research)

36 Fish Kill Task Force Science Committee: Is it something Biological or Environmental? Is the entire fish community being affected? Are emerging contaminants contributing to the problem? Is what is causing the problem coming from point sources or non point sources? What is unique to the Shenandoah Watershed that could be causing the problem?

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