Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-09-14, Page 17Cranbrook resident Ron Malcolm, left, holds up a trophy-size Northern Pike while his neighbour, John Saxon, displays a huge Smallmouth Bass, part of the fish kill which occured in the Middle Maitland just above and below the hamlet last week; other dead fish float in the river below. MNR officials say it is unlikely the cause of the kill can be determined, but welcome any further Information about the Incident. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14. 1988. PAGE 17. Cranbrook Compiled by Mrs. Mac Engel. Phone ^87 6645 Foresters plan service Grey Twp. residents alarmed at fish kill A number of Grey Township residents are concerned at what appears to be a fairly substantial fish kill in a short stretch of the Middle Maitland River above and below the hamlet of Cranbrook, but the Ministry of Natural Resources says that there is likely little that can be done to determine the cause of the kill. Last week several hundred dead fish of all species, including a number of trophy-sized Northern Pike and Smallmouth bass, were discovered floating in the river just upstream from the Cranbrook bridge by Craig Workman of RR 3, Brussels, who sounded the alarm. Mr. Workman has fished the river “several times a week for years,’’ but says he has never seen anything like this before. He also notes that there are no birds singing in the immediate area now, while a resident Great Blue Heron also disappeared. Mike Malhiot, district biologist with the Wingham office of the MNR, said Tuesday that he had examined the area after the kill was reported last Wednesday, but could find no sign of any ongoing danger to the river at that time. He said that the signs were consistent with a “manure or chemical spill in the immediate area,’’ but added that if such was the case, such a spill had obviously dissipated, as he notedlive fish along with the dead ones in several areas he examined. Mr. Malhiot added that it was also possible that the fish were victims of a natural death caused by the extreme stress put on shallow rivers by the excessive­ ly hot, dry summer; they could have diedfurther upstream and simply washed down after the The Forester’s service will be held in Knox Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 18 at 11 o’clock. This change of time is for the one Sunday only. Ball playing has come to an end for this season. The young people have enjoyed playing Monday and Thursday evenings throughout the summer. Thanks to the capable overseeing of Lloyd and Beryl Smith and Lois Hart the games were made possible. They deserve a very hearty vote of thanks from everyone involved. The Brussels Peewees won the playoff game in Wingham Sept. 8. Two local girls, Jennifer and Yolanda Vanass play on the team. Students are back to school for another term. Will Perrie and Matthew Ezewski are beginning Seaforth High School, Jennifer heavy rains in late August and early September, he said. But Mr. Workman argues that it is unlikely that fish of all sizes would die of natural causes at this time of year, pointing out that the kill first appeared after 10 days or more of cooler temperatures and higher water levels. “Earlier this summerthe river here was covered in algae from side to side, and the fish were still biting,” he explain­ ed. John Saxon and Ron Malcolm, both of Cranbrook, are also uneasy Continued on page 20 Vanass and Paula Smith start to Listowel and Doug Mitchell, kin­ dergarten at Grey Central. Mr. and Mrs. John Vanass and family visited at Komoka on Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Harry Swinkle and family. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Stevens and family of Watford visited the Vanass family on Monday. Institute discusses histories The September meeting of the Women’s Institute was held in the community centre. There is still some confusion about how the W.I. prepares the Tweedsmuir history for micro-filming. It has also been suggested that they send its completed books to the Huron County Archives at Goderich where they would be more readily available. The October meeting will fea­ ture a guest speaker who will show films of Japan and give a talk on life in his native land. Visitors will be very welcome at the community centre on Oct. 6. It was noticed that the improve­ ments to the kitchen are progress­ ing favourably. The W.I. sponsored a contestant for Queen ofthe Brussels fair and is sending delegates to the Rally and the area convention.