ONSLOW COUNTY--- The City of Jacksonville boasted about the New River's healthy water levels just weeks ago. However, following the flooding brought by Hurricane Florence, water quality technicians are on their toes.
- City officials announced Tuesday that it had discovered two dozen fish belly up in the water
- After testing it, they found the dissolved oxygen levels were 0.18 milligrams per liter
- The only way for the water to be restored to healthy dissolved oxygen levels is by waiting
City officials announced Tuesday that it had discovered two dozen fish belly up in the water. After testing it, they found the dissolved oxygen levels were 0.18 milligrams per liter. Healthy dissolved oxygen levels should be 5 milligrams per liter.
“We anticipate more fish to die until we get some sort of system--be it a storm or some wind or a combination of, that will push that plume of swamp water out of the New River estuary,” said Jacksonville Stormwater Manager Pat Donovan-Brandenberg.
This is a natural occurrence after a heavy rainfall because it causes river water to mix with swamp water.
According to Donavan-Bradenberg, the only way for the water to be restored to healthy dissolved oxygen levels is by waiting. Eventually wind or water will move the swamp water downstream.
The water is still safe for recreational use but the city urges everyone to use caution. There is unseen debris below the water's surface that is dangerous to boaters. Decaying fish can cause a health hazard.