Tyler Creek Fish Kill

On Friday, July 28^th, a fish kill was first noticed on Tyler Creek, a tributary of the Coldwater River in southwestern Michigan. Estimates of at least 1500 brown trout from 3 to 20 inches, as well as sculpins, darters, dace and aquatic insects were found dead in the creek early on Friday by a couple of Michigan fishermen. Ironically, this fish kill happened just prior to a work date arranged by West Michigan Trout Unlimited on the Coldwater River, in which a few of our members were participating.

Though a fish kill of this magnitude is a disaster for a small stream such as Tyler Creek, it was fortunate that one of the anglers discovering the fish kill was Jim Bedford, a retired aquatic biologist/ environmental toxicologist, and a Lansing, MI TU member. He contacted the Michigan DEQ promptly, which allowed DEQ staff to investigate the event while evidence was still recent.

This event followed heavy rains in the area on Thursday the 27^th. The Michigan DEQ is still investigating the event, and although a complete determination has not been made, a good bit of evidence points to manure placed on a dry field near the upper reaches of the creek.

The West Michigan Chapter Trout Unlimited has filed a Freedom of Information request with the Michigan DEQ for any information regarding this event, and the dairy farm in question. Ron Barch of WMTU will be the guest speaker at our September 20^th meeting to update us on their efforts to prevent future occurrences.