Fertilizer, manure spill suspected in Iowa fish kill

A fertilizer or manure spill may have killed several hundred fish along 20 miles of Stoney Creek northwest of Spencer, Iowa Department of Natural Resource officials believe.

Two crews of field officers out of Spencer found heavy concentrations of dead fish west of Fostoria, a trail that led northwest to the Osceola-Dickinson county line, according to a statement on the DNR website.

The DNR has had trouble identifying the pollutant source, but believe fertilizer or animal manure may have spilled into the water, causing elevated ammonia levels west of Spencer.

“We’ve had a number of calls into the field office, mostly from people concerned about watering their cattle from the creek,” said Ken Hessenius, supervisor of the DNR Spencer field office.

Dead fish were reported north of Everly on Monday morning, but residents said they've spotted the carcasses throughout the weekend. They were mainly minnows and chubs, but some larger fish were found dead as well.

The pollutant likely slugged into the Ocheyedan River where it became diluted and already passed through Spencer. The DNR is still investigating the source of the possible spill.

Fisherman also reported hundreds of dead chubs and minnows Saturday morning near Meriden in Cherokee County. Tests from Bear Creek on Monday showed relatively good water quality, however.

DNR officials haven't been able to identify that pollutant source either, but suspect something washed into the stream during the rainfall over the weekend.

To report a spill to the DNR, call 515-725-8694.