'A disappointing day': Fish kill cleanup underway in Clyde River

P.E.I. government officials are investigating a fish kill in Clyde River, just west of Charlottetown.

The incident was reported at about 5:15 p.m. AT Monday, and was confirmed when government officials visited the site.

It follows heavy rainfall in the area on Sunday.

The investigation involves staff from Environment Canada, the provincial Department of Justice and Public Safety and the provincial Department of Communities, Land and Environment.The affected area extends from Bannockburn Road to Colville Road.

Water, soil, vegetation and fish samples have been collected and sent for testing. Investigators and clean-up crew are on site Tuesday.

Setback for environmental group

Volunteers from the Central Queens Wildlife Federation are part of the cleanup effort.

The federation has been working for years to improve the habitat of the river and grow fish populations. Now it finds itself in the position of trying to determine just how many fish have died.

"It's just a disappointing day for us all here," said federation watershed coordinator Clay MacLean.

"We're going to have a little bit harder job right now, but we're going to keep trying to do what we were doing prior to this."

MacLean said the federation has had a lot of support from the community, and he hopes that support will continue.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |47-year-old man drowns in Indian River
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |Montague rejects Pride flag again