Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division
For Immediate Release August 6, 2007
1. DNR investigated fish kill in Sioux County
2. DNR checks fish kill in Mitchell County
3. Wellsburg bypass reaches South Beaver Creek
DNR INVESTIGATES FISH KILL IN SIOUX COUNTY
MEDIA CONTACT: Ken Hessenius at 712-262-4177.
HOSPERS –The DNR is investigating a fish kill on the Floyd River in Sioux County after many dead fish were found along more than a three-mile stretch of the river Monday.
DNR staff observed the fish kill beginning west of Hospers, near 395th Street and continuing downstream. DNR field office staff and fisheries are collecting samples and counting fish. It is estimated hundreds of fish are dead, including catfish, sunfish, white suckers, chubs, minnows and carp.
While the DNR is still investigating the cause, initial testing indicates manure runoff from a large feedlot is a likely source. More than two inches of rain fell in the area on Friday and Saturday, which may have contributed to manure washing into the Floyd River.
Elevated ammonia levels of up to 2.5 ppm were measured in a tributary of the Floyd River. Manure runoff can be toxic to fish due to elevated ammonia levels or by robbing the water of dissolved oxygen.
Producers can scrape open feedlots frequently and check below the lot for evidence of runoff to help prevent a fish kill. Livestock producers should look for leaks where manure could escape or is improperly stored, or where any pollutant within their facilities could potentially reach Iowa waters.
Lab results from water samples should be available later this week and may verify the source of the pollutant. The DNR is considering possible enforcement action and restitution for fish killed.
Fish kills should be promptly reported to the DNR’s 24-hour spill line at (515) 281-8694.
Writer: Holly Williams
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DNR CHECKS FISH KILL IN MITCHELL COUNTY
MEDIA CONTACT: Cindy Garza at (641) 424-4073
RICEVILLE – The DNR investigated a fish kill in a seven-acre privately owned lake about two miles north of Riceville Monday.
Several hundred dead fish, ranging in size from two to 18 inches, were visible around the edge of the pond.
DNR specialists found no immediate cause of the fish kill, although dissolved oxygen levels were very low, one part per million (ppm) or less. Levels were low where a small stream entered the lake and where water left the lake, flowing downstream about one-fourth mile to the Wapsipinicon River. Low oxygen levels can be toxic to fish and other aquatic life.
However, dissolved oxygen levels upstream in the small creek that feeds the pond and in the downstream Wapsipinicon River were normal, well above six ppm, the level of oxygen that fish need to survive.
“This one has us puzzled,” said Cindy Garza, an environmental specialist at the Mason City DNR field office. “Ammonia levels were normal. There was no sign of a pollutant or manure near the pond. And, the algae was not dying off which might cause oxygen levels to drop as the algae decays.
“We did see a slight sheen on the water which might indicate fuel or a petroleum-based product such as some pesticides,” she added.
“That indicates that something happened nearby to cause oxygen levels to drop drastically,” Garza said. “The area has had several inches of rainfall in the last week, which could have washed something into the pond.”
The fish kill was reported by the landowner who noticed it over the weekend.
The DNR is having water samples tested for pesticides, biological oxygen demand and ammonia and expects results back next week.
Writer: Karen Grimes
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WELLSBURG BYPASS REACHES SOUTH BEAVER CREEK
MEDIA CONTACT: Curt Krieger at (641) 424--4073
WELLSBURG – Heavy rains in Grundy County led the City of Wellsburg to bypass untreated wastewater to a tributary that reaches South Beaver Creek Saturday.
The city released approximately 36,000 gallons of the diluted discharge to a nearby drainage ditch after more than two inches of rain caused the city’s lift station to bottleneck. The drainage ditch reaches a tributary that flows to South Beaver Creek.
The city’s treatment plant began pumping at 1:30 p.m. Saturday to relieve pressure in the sanitary sewer. The discharge stopped about an hour later. Surcharging sewers occur when the amount of flow exceeds the capacity of the sewer, causing pressure to build. When pressure builds up it seeks to relieve itself through any means possible, one of which is by backing up and overflowing into basements.
Wellsburg is currently working on informing its residents of their impact on having foundation drains, gutters and sump pumps that contribute to the problem of surcharging sewers.
Writer: Holly Williams
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