See something fishy? Here’s why dozens of dead fish float at this Hilton Head pond
Residents of Hilton Head Island walking their dogs by Shelter Cove Community Park may spot something fishy floating in the nearby pond.
Atop the water near the edges of the pond, washed up on the banks, and even hanging from low-lying tree branches are a dozens of smelly, rotting fish, being nibbled at by hungry minnows.
Town staff first spotted the fish Monday morning while setting up for the annual Memorial Day ceremony.
What’s behind the smelly surprise?
A “local wildlife expert” told town staff that heavy rains over Memorial Day weekend likely brought down the oxygen level in the pond to below what the fish need to survive — essentially suffocating the fish, according to Heather Woolwine, a spokesperson for the town.
The man-made pond sits near the Veterans Memorial at Shelter Cove Community Park, and connects to the salt marshes that surround Broad Creek.
Although fish and wildlife can access the pond, man-made retention ponds like these are not always meant for wildlife, noted Chris Kehrer, naturalist and operations coordinator for the Port Royal Sound Foundation.
They’re designed to collect stormwater runoff, and are often required in new developments to prevent flooding in surrounding neighborhoods. Beaufort County has about 1900 ponds like these, Kehrer said.
Drastic temperature rises can also contribute to the mass die-offs. Stormwater can also carry pollutants that can be harmful to people as well as fish and plants.
Can the fish be saved?
Over the next several days, town staff will relocate any living fish from the pond and remove dead fish as they float to the surface, according to town spokesperson Woolwine.
Staff will also install two pond aerators in the water next Tuesday to help keep oxygen levels healthy in the future and prevent more smelly surprises for park visitors in the future.
