safety
Chattahoochee River fish kill biggest death event in Georgia since 2011, report says
By Sam Sachs at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· June 25, 2026
· 3 min read
The latest report on a massive fish kill on the Chattahoochee River in May says nearly 45,000 fish died thanks to combined sewer overflow and stormwater flowing from an emergency release tunnel at the height of rush hour traffic.The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s report from Wednesday said that sewa...
Key takeaway In an accompanying report from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, state officials said as they headed upstream to analyze the fish kill, “staff observed increasing numbers of dead fish.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The massive fish kill on the Chattahoochee River has significant implications for Atlanta 's water quality and infrastructure. The fact that nearly 45,000 fish died due to combined sewer overflow and stormwater from the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management's West Area Tunnel raises concerns about the city's ability to manage its wastewater and stormwater systems. The incident highlights the need for improved infrastructure and better management of the city's combined sewer system to prevent such events in the future. Furthermore, the impact on the river's ecosystem and the surrounding communities, including South Fulton, will be closely watched. The city's independent investigation into the incident will be crucial in determining the causes and identifying solutions to prevent similar incidents. Atlanta residents and stakeholders will be looking for concrete actions to address the city's water quality issues and ensure the long-term health of the Chattahoochee River.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The latest report on a massive fish kill on the Chattahoochee River in May says nearly 45,000 fish died thanks to combined sewer overflow and stormwater flowing from an emergency release tunnel at the height of rush hour traffic.The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s report from Wednesday said that sewa...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sam Sachs at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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