Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division

For Immediate Release                                                    January 30, 2007

DNR INVESTIGATING FISH KILL NEAR DYERSVILLE

DYERSVILLE * High ammonia levels from a fertilizer spill Monday in Dyersville continued to be recorded approximately 10 to 12 miles downstream on the North Fork of the Maquoketa River on Tuesday.

DNR environmental specialists and fisheries biologists continued to investigate the incident throughout the day on Tuesday. Above normal ammonia levels were still being found south of Worthington, however the levels are believed to have dissipated enough to the point where it is no longer toxic to fish. It is expected that the high levels could continue downstream at least into Wednesday. The investigation will resume Wednesday morning near Cascade.

Investigation of the fish kill is being hampered by snow and ice as well as limited public access to the river. An estimate of the number of fish killed was still unavailable on Tuesday as the investigation and effort to count fish continues.

The fish kill appears to have originated from Crop Production Services in Dyersville where a fiberglass container was being filled with liquid fertilizer that apparently leaked. The spill took place within an area of secondary containment which apparently leaked as well, allowing the fertilizer to reach a storm sewer which flows less than a block away to the North Fork of the Maquoketa River.

For more information, contact Kevin Baskins at 515-249-2814.

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Kevin Baskins, Communications Bureau Chief
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
(515)  281-8395
E-mail: [log in to unmask]