Iowa DNR News
Environmental Services Division
 
For immediate release                                                                             Sept. 16, 2008 
 
DNR INVESTIGATES ONE SPILL AND THREE FISH KILLS 
 
MEDIA CONTACTS: Alison Manz for Kirkman at (712) 243-1934 or Doug Hawker for the two northeast Iowa fish kills at (563) 927-2640 or (563) 920-1840. 
 
DES MOINES – The DNR was investigating a manure spill in Shelby County and two fish kills in northeast Iowa on Tuesday. 
 
The spill from the UltiMilk Dairy Company southeast of Kirkman was discovered at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The producer, Matt Van Baale, reported that the spill occurred when a pipe ruptured. He quickly built a barrier to contain the manure. However, manure has reached an unnamed stream east of the facility. 
 
Although ammonia levels were high, the DNR had not found any dead fish in the stream Tuesday afternoon. The producer pumped up about 5,000 gallons of liquid manure and plans to build a dike across the unnamed stream to prevent the manure from reaching the East branch of the West Nishnabotna River. 
 
In northeast Iowa, manure has been identified as the most likely cause of two fish kills. 
 
Near Luxemburg, a concerned person reported a fish kill on the North Fork of the Maquoketa River Monday. When DNR environmental and fisheries staff examined the area, they found a few dead fish but had not found yet found the  source by Tuesday. 
 
However, investigators found evidence of a second fish near New Vienna on the same river. The fish kill near New Vienna was likely caused by manure. White suckers, Johnny darters, creek chubs, minnows and dace were killed. DNR staff  think it’s likely that rain storms from Thursday through Saturday washed pollutants into the stream. 
 
In a separate incident, a fisherman reported a fish kill in a stocked trout stream northeast of Greeley in the Delaware County Fountain Springs Park early on Sunday. 
 
The DNR fisheries staff estimated that 50 trout and a few chubs were dead, all within the park. Water tests showed clean water, but the fish had been dead several days so any pollutant may have washed downstream. The investigation indicated manure was the probable cause of the fish kill due to runoff from recent land application.
 
“It’s very important for anyone who finds dead fish to call it in to the DNR’s hotline immediately,” said Doug Hawker of the Manchester DNR field office. “That helps us find the cause and source of the problem, so that we can keep the pollutant out of the stream.” 
 
Hawker added that livestock producers can avoid a lot of problems by checking below their facilities for runoff, particularly after it rains. “When streams are low, any amount of pollutant or runoff has the potential to be lethal,” he said. “If they see a runoff problem, they can call their local NRCS or Extension office for help in solving the problem.”
 
People who find dead fish should call 1-515-281-8694. The DNR spill line is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. 
 
The DNR will continue to investigate. 
 
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