3 September 2007Wavy.com
State environmental officials found up to 2,000 dead catfish near the mouth of the Neuse River today. And officials believe that drought conditions may have forced the fish to go belly up.
The fish were found in Upper Broad Creek near New Bern. A spokeswoman with the state Division of Water Quality says the fish likely died from excess exposure to salt water that may be creeping back up the river.
Spokeswoman Susan Massengale says that can happen during a severe drought.
Massengale said the dead fish don't pose any health risks, but officials are looking to see if the problem is happening elsewhere.
North Carolina faced 1 of the hottest and driest months on record in August. That combination that has put more than three-quarters of the state under severe drought conditions.
