Dead Fish being reported in Chattooga River after Ammonia Spill

An ammonia spill at Mount Vernon Mills, located in Trion, Georgia, forced evacuations of nearby residents on June 26th.  Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas stated the source of that leak was a transfer truck that was bringing ammonia to the mill.  The truck driver went through protocol for a spill – and called Chattooga 9-1-1.  Exactly how that spill occurred was NOT made clear immediately.

Just a few days later, many dead fish in the Chattooga River are being reported.

“There have been reports of about 30 dead fish sighting along the river. With very high temperatures and drought conditions, fish could have already been stressed,” Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas said.

“Administration from Mt. Vernon, along with Pam Vaugh from Chattooga EMA, met with EPD and Fish and Wildlife over the weekend concerning the ammonia situation. They inspected the river from the golf course down to bridge below WWTP. The EPD was responding due to the Airgas notification. They are the company with the truck that had the leak. Mt. Vernon and The Town of Trion will continue monitoring the river. It is our desire to keep our river clean,” Thomas said.

AllOnGeorgia has contacted officials with the EPD but has not received a response.