Brown trout in Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach: Shocking fish die-off!

Brown trout in Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach: Shocking fish die-off!

In Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach, a worrying incident was discovered on Saturday afternoon, shortly before 12 p.m.: residents found numerous dead brown trout in the Stürzaer Bach. The water had turned into a brown, cloudy broth, and a light film of oil was also visible. There were similar problems in 2016, when the stream was contaminated by burning old tires. The alerted emergency services took immediate action.

The fire department and police arrived and investigated the situation. They discovered that the brown water was flowing from a drain into the stream. Initial investigations revealed that a full sewer shaft and a damaged pipe caused by roots were responsible for the contamination. As a result, wastewater entered the stormwater system and led to contamination of the stream. In addition to the volunteer fire department, the Lower Water Authority and the pipe and sewer service were on site.

Measures taken by the authorities

The emergency services discovered a defective pipe on Quellenberg B and found at least a dozen dead fish in the water. In order to defuse the situation, the Lower Water Authority had the shaft cleaned with a flushing truck. Water samples were also taken for analysis. The fire brigade's operation lasted a total of two hours. During repairs, the water department will continue to investigate the cause of the mixing of wastewater and stormwater.

A local rescue operation showed additional humanity: a citizen saved some young brown trout and plans to release them back into the stream after the repairs and water purification are complete. A welcome step in the midst of a worrying situation.

Another natural phenomenon: the Aurora Borealis

While we in Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach are confronted with the challenges of nature conservation, elsewhere the impressive natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis is captivating people. This light show, which has been interpreted as ghosts or magical foxes for thousands of years, is created by the interaction between solar particles and molecules in the Earth's atmosphere. The best times for observation are between February and March and from the end of August to October.

A popular way to experience the aurora is by taking a cruise to northern Europe. A highlight is the Hurtigruten cruise from Hamburg to Northern Norway, which includes, among other things, spectacular fjords and the tundra. Boat fans and nature lovers benefit from various activities, ranging from dog sledding to whale watching. If you like, you can go to more luxurious surroundings to enjoy the lights of the tropics.

These days we are experiencing the challenges of nature conservation in Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach and at the same time the unforgettable beauty of nature in the far north. A reminder of how precious our waters are and how important it is to protect them - for people and animals.

Read more about the details of the incident in Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach Sächsische.de and find out more about the fascinating journeys to the Aurora Borealis Siviaggia.