NAPOLEON, Ohio — Dead fish were discovered in the Maumee River on Saturday, about a week after a liquid fertilizer spill contaminated Huston Creek in Henry County.
According to city officials, the fish were first found near Meyerholtz Park before crews surveyed the river by airboat. The affected area stretched from the mouth of Huston Creek downstream toward the Campbell’s Soup facility.
Officials believe the contamination reached the river after one of two temporary dams installed in Huston Creek failed following overnight rainfall.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is working to determine the number of fish affected, with officials expecting that total to increase as additional fish move downstream.
The fertilizer spill was first reported on July 3, prompting a response from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and local emergency management officials. Two nearby businesses have since received violation notices from the Ohio EPA as the investigation continues.
City officials said Napoleon’s drinking water remains safe because the municipal water system is temporarily drawing water from an alternate supply line through Wauseon.
Testing conducted on the Maumee River found ammonia and nitrate levels below state thresholds for concern, and officials said there are currently no restrictions on recreational use of the river while cleanup and monitoring efforts continue.
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