Iowa Department of Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Services Division For Immediate Release                                                  	   August 17, 2007 1.	DNR investigates fish kill near Sheffield2.	DNR completes count of Harlan fish kill DNR INVESTIGATES FISH KILL NEAR SHEFFIELD SHEFFIELD — A fish kill is being investigated by the DNR on atributary to the West Fork of the Cedar River in Franklin Countysoutheast of Sheffield. Approximately two miles of stream appeared to have been affected by thefish kill expected to number in the hundreds. Investigators on the sceneFriday did not see any live fish in the stream, but did see some liveminnows in the West Fork of the Cedar which appeared to have beenunaffected. Field tests taken where the fish kill occurred did not show high levelsof ammonia and did show adequate levels of oxygen. Ammonia is a commonpollutant often associated with causing fish kills as is low levels ofoxygen, particularly in the late summer when water levels are sometimeslow. “We had rain earlier this week and it looks like what ever gotflushed into the stream that may have caused this fish kill is nowgone,” said Carl Berg, an environmental specialist for the DNR. Berg added that it looked like the fish had been dead for approximatelytwo days that  whatever pollutant may have been there is now gone. The fish kill was reported by a nearby resident on Friday morning. Theinvestigation is continuing. For more information, contact Kevin Baskins at 515-249-2814.   DNR COMPLETES COUNT OF HARLAN FISH KILL MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Baskins at (515) 249-2814. HARLAN — The DNR has completed a fish count following a fish killWednesday at Little Lake George in Harlan. The kill claimed 922 fish, including 710 crappie, 198 bluegill, sevenbullheads and seven green sunfish. The DNR will continue to investigate the source, which may be asubstance from Harlan’s storm sewer. A storm sewer outfall from theCity of Harlan sends storm water into Little Lake George withouttreatment. While high water temperatures can stress fish during summermonths, samples collected at the lake by DNR staff showed high levels ofdissolved oxygen, indicating the fish kill was likely caused by apollutant. The University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL) is currently testing watersamples to determine the cause of the kill.  -30-
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