Thousands of fish, animals dying in Turkey Creek, Florida

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Palm Bay - Thousands of fish and animals are dying in a local waterway, and longtime residents say it's not just an ordinary fish kill.

Turkey Creek in Palm Bay is known for its clean, fresh water. It flows into the Indian River Lagoon downstream, and it's there in the lagoon where most fish kills happen, not in the creek.

Chris Jones grew up along Turkey Creek.

"You can get out and be in old Florida, natural Florida, the way it was hundreds of years ago before people were here," said Jones.

But now, catfish have been dying for weeks.

People have reported dead animals including an alligator and some raccoons and turtles. They've taken pictures of a film on the water.

"I've never seen catfish or any fish die off to this extent," said Jones.

© Screen Capture/YouTube

Dead alligator.

"It's quite upsetting because I've been here since '73, and the waters were much better," said John Mongioi.

Palm Bay Public Works employees checked the water for dissolved oxygen but said so far levels look normal.

The city sewage plant spilled effluent into the creek in September. It seems unlikely that could still be having an effect. It's an unnerving mystery.

"I don't know if I'm going to get sick from it. I don't know if I'm going to get something from just dealing with the fish in the water," said Jones.

State biologists have taken samples and they're doing a lot of analysis, hoping to find the answer.