Halburn Creek IA 04-RAC-6537

This fish kill occurred on or before May 25, 2014. The kill began in this unnamed tributary of Brushy Creek near Halbur in Carroll County and included a portion of Brushy Creek. The kill was attributed a spill of anhydrous ammonia at a local co-op. An estimated 50,100 fish were killed over 5.45 miles of stream. The value of the fish killed was estimated a $4,550.38, and the investigation costs were $720.38. Although the party responsible for the kill was identified (local co-op), restitution for the fish killed or costs of investigation have not been received by DNR as of August 2019. Thus, the presumptive Class B(WW1) aquatic life uses are assessed as “partially supporting” and are placed on Iowa’s Section 303(d) list of impaired waters.

According to DNR’s assessment/listing methodology, the occurrence of a single pollutant-caused fish kill, or a fish kill of unknown origin, on a waterbody or waterbody reach during the most recent assessment period indicates a severe stress to the aquatic community and suggests that the aquatic life uses should be assessed as “impaired.” If a cause of the kill is identified, and the cause is either known, or suspected, to be a “pollutant”, the assessment type is considered “monitored” and the affected waterbody is a candidate for Section 303(d) listing. Fish kills attributed to a pollutant, but where a source of the pollutant was not identified and/or where enforcement actions were not taken against the responsible party, will be placed into Integrated Report subcategory 5b. The intent of placing these waterbodies into Category 5 is not to necessarily require a TMDL but to keep the impairment highlighted due to the potential for similar future kills from the unaddressed causes and/or sources.