[CUCBC Contacts] Possible river pollution

[Conor Burgess]

Dear all,

Thus far, no specific cause for the fish deaths has been identified - the tests have not identified any pollutant to explain them, nor were the dissolved oxygen levels in the water samples taken on Tuesday low enough to provide an explanation.

The Environment Agency will be back on the river taking further samples to measure the dissolved oxygen levels today (Friday 23rd). One possible explanation is that the large amount of cold storm water entering the river from the heavy rains led to the dissolved oxygen levels in the warmer river water becoming so low as to cause the fish deaths, as cold water can dissolve oxygen better than warm water. Unfortunately the results of the tests on Tuesday cannot prove this, so for now, please continue to take extra precautions after outings.

Best wishes,
Conor
On 21 Jun 2023 at 12:13 +0100, Conor Burgess <conor at cucbc.org>, wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> Sadly a large number (~1000) dead fish have been found in the Cam between Chesterton and Baitsbite Lock. It is possible that a pollutant may be the cause, and the Environment Agency and Anglian Water are investigating / testing water samples etc.
>
> Even more so than you usually would, please ensure all of your rowers and coxes limit their exposure to Cam water (i.e. washing equipment and then hands after outings, avoid novice sculling sessions where capsizes are more likely, etc.), at least until we know more about what has killed the fish.
>
> Best wishes,
> Conor
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