State and Local Officials Provide Update on Lake Greenwood Fish Kill (April 24, 2026)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 24, 2026

GREENWOOD COUNTY, S.C. — SCDES, SCDNR and Greenwood County officials continue to work together to investigate the recent fish kill in an area of Lake Greenwood in Greenwood County.

Both state agencies continue to receive and review sample results as well as follow up on information provided by local residents in order to try to determine the cause.

Lake Greenwood has two drinking water intakes that supply public water systems: Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works and Laurens County Water and Sewer Authority. Neither of these drinking water intakes are located in areas where the fish kill has been observed. SCDES has been in contact with both facilities, and both report their finished water that is provided to customers is in compliance with all drinking water standards.

As was previously mentioned, some of the most frequent causes of fish kills are oxygen depletion, excessive algal blooms and high water temperatures. None of these common causes appear to have been a contributing factor to this fish kill.

State officials recommend people and pets refrain from contact with water in locations the fish kill has been observed, as referenced in this map.

Greenwood County Lake Management, SCDES and SCDNR will continue to investigate and provide additional updates as new information becomes available.

To report information related to this fish kill or any fish kill, contact SCDNR’s 24-hour reporting line at 1‑800‑922‑5431. 

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