Drought Killing Fish, Hurting Economy

    The drought gripping large swaths of the country continues to worsen, now taking an even bigger toll on the economy and biodiversity of the Midwest.  As crop prices are driven up by the dry weather, the lack of rain is proving deadly for some valuable animals.

    FOX News Radio’s Chris Hoenig reports:

    Throughout the Midwest, waterways are clogged with dead fish – the result of dropping water levels because of the drought.  One Illinois power plant, forced to shut down a generator after fish carcasses blocked the intake screen feeding the plant.

    In Iowa, nearly $10 million worth of sturgeon…dead.  They’re valued at $110/pound because of their eggs, used for caviar.

    Texas’s Medina Lake, just 16% full.  Bandera County Park Supervisor Ken McMahon stands in the lake on land not seen in his lifetime.

    (McMahon) “You’d have better than 50 foot of water over top of your head, standing here.”

    More than half of the counties nationwide have been declared Natural Disaster Areas due to drought conditions.

    Chris Hoenig, FOX News Radio.

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