Wrangell Sentinel -

PETERSBURG – Increased water temperatures and low oxygen levels combined with decreased tidal activity in Blind Slough killed around 1,100 King salmon on their way to spawn at the Crystal Lakes Hatchery two weeks ago.

A Fish and Game aerial survey taken a week before the salmon died revealed more than 1000 fish holding in deeper areas of Blind River Rapids. Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sport Fish Biologist Doug Fleming says he had been monitoring the salmon because of the warm summer weather. He discovered the fish carcasses Thursday, July 18.

Fleming says the incoming cold tidew...