The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced a precautionary fish consumption advisory due to mercury on Center Hill Reservoir in Dekalb and Putnam counties and also for Dale Hollow Reservoir in Clay, Pickett, and Overton counties.
Based on the fish tissue results, a precautionary fish consumption advisory is being issued for black bass species (largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass) in the Center Hill Reservoir. The consumption advisory at Dale Hollow if for both walleye and black bass species.
TDEC advises that pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children avoid eating the fish species included in the advisory and that all others limit consumption to one meal per month. Other recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, swimming, wading, and catch and release fishing carry no risk
TDEC considers the source of mercury both reserviors to be atmospheric deposition. According to the EPA, atmospheric deposition due to the global burning of coal is the most frequent reason for elevated levels of mercury in fish.
TDEC will post warning signs at primary public access points and will work with the TWRA and United States Army Corps of Engineers to communicate this information to the public.