The Village of Itasca has alerted DuPage County authorities about a substantial fish kill in Springbrook Creek. In recent days, Itasca crews observed several hundred dead fish along the banks of Springbrook Creek.
Similar conditions have also been observed at Happy Acres Pond in Itasca.
The Village reached out to the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup (DRSCW) to assist in determining oxygen levels at Springbrook Creek. DRSCW confirmed that dissolved oxygen levels in Springbrook Creek, which is a tributary to Salt Creek, are currently at 5 ppm. Fish become stressed when dissolved oxygen falls below this level. Oxygen levels at Happy Acres are currently 4.8 ppm.
County officials have determined that low water flow in Springbrook Creek caused by the severe drought conditions in Northern Illinois most likely caused the fish kill.
Severe drought conditions and rising temperatures often result in lower dissolved oxygen levels in small creeks and ponds. Dissolved oxygen levels in small bodies of water rise and fall as temperatures change.
Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen than cooler water. When there is less water in a stream or pond due to drought, hot weather can cause water temperatures to rise to a level that results in a fish kill.