Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media Contact: Dan Olson, 218-846-7390 Pager: 651-339-2681 Technical Contact: Jack Frederick, 218-846-0734 Toll free/TTY: 1-800-657-3864 Fargo, N.D. -- Minnesota and North Dakota agencies are investigating what caused more than 500 fish to die in the Red River north of Fargo. The fish kill was seen Thursday near Cass County Highway 22, north of Fargo-Moorhead. Conditions in the river this week are very similar to those that existed during a fish kill in the same general location in August of 2003. Those conditions include lower than average flow, high water temperatures (warmer water is less able to hold dissolved oxygen), and a heavy downpour following an extended dry period. When the debris carried in stormwater (organic matter, oil, soil, chemicals, etc.) is broken down by bacteria in rivers and lakes, the process uses up oxygen, reducing the amount available to fish. Both kills included northern pike, walleyes and other gamefish, as well as rough fish such as catfish and carp, which can generally tolerate more stressful conditions. Friday, staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Fargo-Moorhead River Keepers gathered fish and water samples for testing. Staff from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency office in Detroit Lakes checked with municipal operations and businesses in the Fargo-Moorhead area that have permits to discharge wastewater to the Red River. Those organizations reported nothing out of the ordinary. Those investigating the kills say it may be that the rush of stormwater after long dry spells was a contributor to both the 2003 and the current fish kills. The Fargo-Moorhead area experienced heavy ran Tuesday afternoon. There had been little rain in the area for several weeks.