State investigating 6,000 dead fish in east Baltimore County waterways

About 6,000 fish were found to have died in eastern Baltimore County waterways, according to a Maryland Department of the Environment investigation. Preliminary results point to algae-created toxins as the likely cause of the fish kill, which was discovered last week after dead fish were first seen in rivers that include the Gunpowder and Bird, said MDE

spokesperson Jay Apperson Monday evening. The kill has affected at least nine species: yellow perch, largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, carp, black crappie, gizzard shad, spottail shiner and channel catfish. Residents are urged to avoid the dead fish or wash their hands if they need to handle or dispose of the fish. READ MORE