Healthy Fish a Good Sign for Ohio River
By: Import User
Updated: March 3, 2008
The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) is reporting good news for the overall health of the Ohio River.
During the summer of 2007, ORSANCO biologists examined fish populations in 15 randomly selected sites along the river. One of those sites was between Tell City and Newburgh. Using a fish examination method called electrofishing" which stuns fish with a low level electrical charge, biologists surveyed the size and relative health of the population. ORSANCO says electrofishing stuns, but does not harm fish.
Scientists report collecting more than 3000 fish, representing 44 species. Based on their examinations, they have declared aquatic life in the river to be in good, or very good biological condition. That means the populations are healthy and thriving, but does not detail the potential tissue contaminants found in the fish.
In the Tell City to Newburgh pool, scientists found the only paddle fish located during their research, and also noted the potential of local silver and bighead carp to jump, posing a potential threat to boaters.
If you would like to review the study, and find more information about ORSACO, please follow this link to their web site.
