Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division
 
For Immediate Release                                                                
July 31, 2008
 
FISH KILL WEST OF CLARION UNDER INVESTIGATION
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Dave Hopper, DNR Mason City field office, at (641) 424-4073 (office) or (641) 425-9310 (cell) or [log in to unmask]
 
CLARION — The DNR is investigating a fish kill along a small stream west of Clarion in Wright County on Thursday.
 
Responding to a call received Thursday morning, the DNR found about 250 dead minnows along streams located about two and a half miles west of Clarion. The fish kill begins in a drainage ditch and reaches for a half mile until the ditch meets Little Eagle Creek. The kill continues for about three miles along Little Eagle Creek and for another mile after the stream joins Eagle Creek.
 
Upon investigation, it appears the fish, which range in size from two to six inches, have been dead for about one to two days. DNR staff also found elevated levels of ammonia in the streams, originating near a tile line outfall in the drainage ditch. High levels of ammonia can be toxic to fish and other aquatic life.
 
The DNR is working to locate the source of the ammonia and will continue to investigate.
 
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