  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - October 7, 2009
09-246
BELLEVUE - An accidental release of ammonia from a dairy processing plant caused a fish kill today in the East Fork of Issaquah Creek in Issaquah.
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) responded to the incident after receiving a report of dead fish from a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologist surveying spawning salmon in the stream. Most of the 40-50 dead fish observed were sculpin, a small freshwater fish, with a small number of salmon and trout also affected.
An unknown volume of ammonia entered the creek from the Darigold Inc. plant at 611 Front Street North. The company secured a small leak and stopped the release by mid-afternoon. The duration of the leak was not known.
WDFW observed dead or dying fish over a quarter mile reach of the stream, between the plant and the East Fork's confluence with Issaquah Creek. By late afternoon, ammonia in calm pools along the stream appeared to have evaporated.
Darigold is cooperating with Ecology in investigating the cause of the release.
At the same time, a separate, natural die-off of salmon is occurring in the same area as part of the chinook and coho spawning cycle.
###
Media Contacts:
Kim Schmanke, Ecology media relations, 360-791-9830, after hours
Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009, business hours
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
