Officials Narrow Down Cause For Fish Kill

MIDDLE RIVER, Md. (WJZ) -- When more than 100,000 fish died in eastern Baltimore County last month, sportsmen wondered if something other than natural causes was at work.

Mike Schuh reports the state has narrowed it down.

It's a sight no one wants to see, but for Scott Sewell, it makes him emotional.

"To see something like this, it angers the hell out of me," he said.

Last month in the Middle River area---particularly Norman Creek, Hopkins Creek and Dark Head Cove---over 100,000 fish died.

After testing, it was found those deaths were caused by a toxin produced by an algae. The gills in fish are destroyed by the toxin produced by this microscopic creature. Sportsmen in the area, including Sewell, thought that there had to be man-made or chemical discharge in the area, but the state says that has not happened.

Warm fall weather might have allowed the algae to bloom and when the temperature dropped, the algae died, releasing that toxin.