Study Finds Fuel Spills Caused Deep Brook Trout Decline

By Andrew Gorosko

A scientific study indicates that heating fuel, which entered the environmentally sensitive Deep Brook in separate fuel spills occurring in 2004 and in 2003, damaged the wild trout population in both Deep Brook and the Pootatuck River, into which Deep Brook flows.

The study, which was conducted by Trout Unlimited’s (TU) Candlewood Valley Chapter, found that the fuel spills have damaged both the water quality and the aquatic life in both Deep Brook and the Pootatuck River, according to TU chapter president James Belden. TU is a private conservation group that works to protect coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

The two-year study found a statistical decrease in populations of brook trout since the fuel spills occurred. Also, there is less food available for trout in Deep Brook and the Pootatuck River in areas downstream of the fuel spills than was present in the past, according to Mr Belden.

The study recommends that there be continuing study of both Deep Brook and the Pootatuck River and their streambeds to measure the presence of native trout populations and other aquatic life.

The Deep Brook-Pootatuck River area lies within one of several Wild Trout Management Areas in the state regulated by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The area received that designation in 2002. In such areas, the DEP enforces a trout catch-and-release policy to allow wild trout to reproduce naturally.

The study found that the damage caused to the streams by the fuel spills has endangered a continuing self-sustaining native trout population in the streams.

In December 2003, an estimated 4,550 gallons of #2 heating fuel spilled from heating equipment at Canaan House at Fairfield Hills. An estimated 100 gallons of that fuel found its way into Deep Brook. At that time, the Fairfield Hills core campus was state-owned. That spill caused a fish kill in Deep Brook.

In December 2004, approximately 4,000 gallons of #2 heating fuel spilled from heating equipment at the town-owned Reed Intermediate School at Trades Lane at Fairfield Hills. Approximately 100 gallons of heating fuel from that spill entered Deep Brook. No known fish kill occurred after that spill.

Following the 2004 spill, a filtration system was installed to keep residual spilled fuel from entering Deep Brook.

After the 2004 fuel spill, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) levied penalties against the town. Part of those penalties involved the town covering costs for a TU study on the aquatic health of Deep Brook and the Pootatuck River in the aftermath of the fuel spills.

In that study, TU collected information on the presence of macroinvertebrates in the bodies of water to gauge aquatic health, water quality, changes in water quality, and potential environmental threats.

Macroinvertebrates are animals which do not have backbones. These include stoneflies, mayflies, caddisflies, and midges, as well as crayfish, worms, and beetles. Trout feed on such organisms.

 A hired University of Connecticut fisheries biology graduate student helped conduct the study, with the aid of TU volunteers, students, and other who collected macroinvertebrate samples and took water temperature readings.

After the scientific study concluded, TU did additional macroinvertebrate sampling. Stream study is planned to resume in May 2008.

“The Pootatuck River and Deep Brook have shown a decline in overall quality of habitat since the 2003 and 2004 oil spills. Macroinvertebrate diversity, as well as brook trout populations, have shown significant decline, to a point where a self-sustaining population of native brook trout is in danger,” according to the TU study.

“After observing Deep Brook for two years, it has become obvious to many of those involved that the stream needs proper care and stewardship to remain at a high ecological level,” according to the study.