Lake Greenwood Fish Kill Investigation Update, April 20
Summary
SCDES and SCDNR, along with Greenwood County officials, are investigating a fish kill reported at Lake Greenwood on April 13 in the Cross Hill area. The agencies have collected fish and water samples, but the cause of the kill has not been determined. SCDES is contacting upstream facilities to request operational and monitoring information. The investigation is ongoing with no new compliance obligations imposed.
“The agencies have been investigating, and at this time, the cause(s) of the fish kill has not been determined.”
What changed
State environmental agencies issued a joint update on an ongoing investigation into a reported fish kill at Lake Greenwood in Greenwood County, South Carolina. The agencies have collected fish and water samples and are contacting upstream facilities for operational information, but no determination has been made. The public is invited to report information to SCDNR's 24-hour hotline. No new compliance obligations, deadlines, or enforcement actions are being imposed by this notice.
Facilities located upstream of the affected area of Lake Greenwood may receive inquiries from SCDES requesting operational and monitoring data as part of the investigation. No violation or regulatory action is implied by these inquiries. No public health advisories have been issued, and no specific cause has been identified.
Archived snapshot
Apr 21, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
State and Local Officials Provide Update on Lake Greenwood Fish Kill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 20, 2026
GREENWOOD COUNTY, S.C. — State and local authorities are working together to investigate a recent fish kill in an area of Lake Greenwood in Greenwood County. Greenwood County officials, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) were notified of several dead fish in the Cross Hill area of Lake Greenwood on April 13 after receiving reports from the public. The agencies have been investigating, and at this time, the cause(s) of the fish kill has not been determined.
Greenwood County’s Lake Inspector and Lake Manager responded promptly to assess the situation and reported their findings to SCDNR, the state agency responsible for managing fish populations on the lake, and SCDES, the state agency responsible for monitoring ambient water quality.
SCDNR has collected fish samples for analysis, and SCDES has conducted assessments and collected water samples in the affected area. Additionally, as part of ongoing investigations, SCDES is contacting facilities located upstream of the fish kill to determine whether any operational issues have occurred and to request their latest monitoring results.
SCDNR reports the fish kill has impacted mixed species, including crappie, yellow perch, flathead catfish, striped bass and bluegill. The majority of reports related to the fish kill have been localized to the lower portion of the lake, below the lower train trestle. Isolated reports of single dead fish in other areas of the lake are likely not related to this incident.
Fish kills, which are instances when large numbers of fish die suddenly within a body of water, are relatively common and can be caused by various environmental, biological and human-related factors. Some of the most frequent causes of fish kills are oxygen depletion, excessive algal blooms and high water temperatures. None of these common causes have been observed at this time with this particular fish kill.
Greenwood County Lake Management, SCDES and SCDNR will continue to investigate and provide additional updates as new information becomes available.
To report information related to this fish kill or any fish kill, contact SCDNR’s 24-hour reporting line at 1‑800‑922‑5431.
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