Recovery of the Reedy Creek Fish Community following a Major Diesel Oil Spill

James S. Bulak
SC Dept. of Nat. Res. 1921 Van Boklen Road Eastover, SC 29044, 803-353-8232, phone, 803-353-8552, FAX, bulak@scdnr.state.sc.us

R. Duane Harrell
Duke Energy 13339 Hagers Ferry Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078, 704-875-5453, phone, 704-875-5038, FAX, rdharrel@duke-energy.com

In June of 1996, a pipeline broke and approximately one million gallons of diesel oil spilled into the Reedy River. A major fish kill occurred. The objective of this effort was to monitor the recovery of the fish community. Five sites, including one upstream from the spill, were sampled in July and October, 1996, October, 1997, and October 1998. Each site was sampled for three passes with a combination of backpack and barge-mounted electrofishers. In 1996, a severe impact was noted. By 1998, species richness had largely recovered to pre-spill conditions. Recovery was most rapid at sites located close to major tributaries or reservoirs.