It all happened so quickly on a late spring day in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and as Ad Crable for Lancaster Online writes, “something toxic came barreling downstream near the stream’s confluence with Musser Run, wiping out, within hours, nearly every kind of fish, crayfish and aquatic insect along a 4.5-mile stretch.” The stream was littered with white lifeless fish floating unnaturally in the water. Currently, the cause of the fish kill is not known although authorities are investigating the source of whatever caused this incident.
The creek had been undergoing successful conservation efforts over the last 50 years, transforming a once warm and meandering spring creek to a cold, clean stream filled with wild trout. A group of passionate anglers gathered around the waterway and formed the Donegal Fish & Conservation Association (DFCA) to continue to foster positive growth along the stream and to build a community around the beloved spring creek.
Photo Courtesy of Derek Eberly
The DFCA released a statement regarding the tragic event:
“A major fish kill occurred on the Donegal Creek during the weekend of April 26th, which affected both wild and stocked trout, other species of fish and aquatic life. The Donegal Fish and Conservation Association has been a steward for this watershed for over five decades and will continue to dedicate itself to the stream’s restoration to maintain a vibrant watershed. The DFCA will continue to assess the situation and communicate with state agencies, riparian landowners, and the local community. It is the position of the DFCA to refrain from speculating on the cause of the fish kill. The DFCA encourages anglers, sportsmen, and the community to allow our state agencies to do their work. Donegal Fish and Conservation Association is proud to work alongside property owners and values their partnership in maintaining a healthy watershed. Please visit our website, www.donegalfish.weebly.com, for more information on the work done by DFCA. Email club President Brian Cunningham at donegalfish@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or concerns.”
If you’d like to get involved and help to restore this stream, please consider donating to the DFCA on their GoFundMe page.
Source: Lancaster Online.
Photos: Courtesy of Derek Eberly.
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