Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Environmental Services Division

 

For Immediate Release                                                         

July 16, 2008

 

CHEMICAL SPILL LEADS TO FISH KILL IN OSCEOLA COUNTY

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Christian, DNR Spencer field office, at (712) 262- 4177.

 

OSCEOLA COUNTY — The DNR is investigating an agricultural chemical spill west of Melvin in Osceola County on Wednesday.  

 

Allen Roder of Ashton was spraying his soybean fields when his sprayer fell into a stream at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. A mix including 150 ounces of Hero insecticide, five gallons of Roundup herbicide and almost 500 gallons of water emptied directly into the stream, a tributary of the Floyd River.

 

Dead fish were discovered at a bridge downstream of the spill. Many live fish were distressed and at the stream’s surface, apparently seeking oxygen, on Wednesday morning.

 

The DNR will gather information about the number of fish killed in the incident and take water samples to determine the extent of the damage. Downstream water supplies in Sioux City have been notified, but there appears to be no risk to public drinking water at this time.

 

The creek is in the process of being dammed to prevent further contamination. Water will be pumped out of the stream and applied to land.

 

Writer: Cassy Lalan

 

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