Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division

For Immediate Release                                                 
   August 17, 2007

1. DNR investigates fish kill near Sheffield
2. DNR completes count of Harlan fish kill

DNR INVESTIGATES FISH KILL NEAR SHEFFIELD

SHEFFIELD — A fish kill is being investigated by the DNR on a
tributary to the West Fork of the Cedar River in Franklin County
southeast of Sheffield.

Approximately two miles of stream appeared to have been affected by the
fish kill expected to number in the hundreds. Investigators on the scene
Friday did not see any live fish in the stream, but did see some live
minnows in the West Fork of the Cedar which appeared to have been
unaffected.

Field tests taken where the fish kill occurred did not show high levels
of ammonia and did show adequate levels of oxygen. Ammonia is a common
pollutant often associated with causing fish kills as is low levels of
oxygen, particularly in the late summer when water levels are sometimes
low.

“We had rain earlier this week and it looks like what ever got
flushed into the stream that may have caused this fish kill is now
gone,” said Carl Berg, an environmental specialist for the DNR.

Berg added that it looked like the fish had been dead for approximately
two days that  whatever pollutant may have been there is now gone.

The fish kill was reported by a nearby resident on Friday morning. The
investigation 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 kill
Wednesday at Little Lake George in Harlan.

The kill claimed 922 fish, including 710 crappie, 198 bluegill, seven
bullheads and seven green sunfish.

The DNR will continue to investigate the source, which may be a
substance from Harlan’s storm sewer. A storm sewer outfall from the
City of Harlan sends storm water into Little Lake George without
treatment. While high water temperatures can stress fish during summer
months, samples collected at the lake by DNR staff showed high levels of
dissolved oxygen, indicating the fish kill was likely caused by a
pollutant.

The University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL) is currently testing water
samples to determine the cause of the kill.

-30-

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubsribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp