POCAHONTAS, Ark. — Prolonged drought followed by recent rainstorms is killing fish in the Black River and discoloring its water, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) reports.
Micah Tindall, district three fishery supervisor for the AGFC, explained that the combination of dry spells and sudden rainfall can create a "perfect storm" for these effects. When heavy rains follow a drought, sediment settled at the riverbed is stirred, causing the water to turn black or brown.
“That’s kind of why it becomes that, we call it like a tea color,” Tindall said, describing it as similar to tannic acid staining. Rain also flushes organic material and debris, such as crop stubble and loose dirt, into the river, further reducing oxygen levels in the water.
“For a lot of fish species, [it means] no oxygen,” Tindall said. “I mean, they can’t breathe. And so, we are seeing a large number of fish die off.”
The fish deaths, which primarily affect larger species, have been coupled with viral photos and videos of discolored water circulating on social media. Smaller fish and those in areas where rapids maintain higher oxygen levels have been more resilient.
Local residents are also noticing the changes. Chris Wardlow, a Pocahontas resident who used to fish with his son along the Black River, said the changes in water quality haven’t surprised him.
“Well, I never would have drunk a cup of that water anyway, and I don’t look forward to even immersing myself in it,” Wardlow remarked. He noted that aging industrial debris remains lodged in parts of the riverbed.
Despite the recent fish kills, Tindall emphasized that he does not anticipate long-term harm to the overall fish population. Anglers, however, may temporarily notice fewer fish in the river.
AGFC officials continue to monitor local waterways for further impacts.