Iowa DNR
Fish Kill DatabaseDB
The Iowa DNR Fish Kill Database stores the data for fish kills in the state. The primary function of this database application is to track causes and locations of fish kills for the purposes of assessing Iowa's water quality.

The Integrated Report, which combines federal requirements for state Section 305(b) water quality assessments and Section 303(d) impaired waters listings, required the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Section to begin tracking fish kills. A fish kill can affect the 305(b) water quality assessment of the waterbody and can potentially result in the addition of the water body to the 303(d) list of impaired waters.

Fish Kill Reporting

If you believe a fish kill has occurred, immediately contact the nearest Iowa DNR Field Office or Fisheries Office.

You should have available the name of the stream, the location of the kill, and any other conditions or observations that may aid in the investigation of the cause and source of the kill.

Do not touch the water or remove any dead fish.

515-725-8694

24-hour Environmental Reporting Hotline

Recent Additions
East Nishnabotna River - 3/11/2024 - Ammonia/Fertilizer
2 hours ago
Des Moines River - 8/25/2023 - Environmental
6 months ago
Upper Iowa River - 8/21/2023 - Environmental
6 months ago
Bee Branch Detention Basin - 6/18/2020 - Ammonia/Fertilizer
6 months ago
Red Rock Marina Bay, Lake Red Rock - 8/23/2023 - Environmental
7 months ago
Rice Lake - 7/31/2023 - Environmental
7 months ago
Lake Orient - 8/4/2023 - Environmental
7 months ago
Beeds Creek - 6/1/2023 - Unknown - Anthropogenic Suspected
8 months ago
Little River Lake - 5/22/2023 - Disease/Parasite/Stress
8 months ago
McLoud Run - 4/3/2023 - Chlorinated Water
8 months ago
Unnamed Tributary to Otter Creek - 6/4/2023 - Environmental
9 months ago
Des Moines River - 1/3/2023 - Environmental
14 months ago
Nashua Impoundment - Cedar River - 8/22/2021 - Environmental
17 months ago
Hurstville Marsh - 3/18/2021 - Environmental
17 months ago
Prairie Creek Pond - 3/18/2021 - Unknown
17 months ago
Moose Lake - 3/18/2021 - Environmental
17 months ago
Alice Wyth Lake - 3/19/2021 - Environmental
17 months ago
Avenue of the Saints Lake - 3/19/2021 - Environmental
17 months ago
Spring Creek - 3/23/2021 - Unknown - Anthropogenic Suspected
17 months ago
West Nodaway River - 9/8/2022 - Petroleum Products
17 months ago
Unnamed Tributary to Little Turkey River - 6/23/2022 - Ammonia/Fertilizer
18 months ago
Dry Creek - 9/9/2022 - Ammonia/Fertilizer
18 months ago
Deep Creek - 3/15/2022 - Animal Waste
18 months ago
Unnamed Tributary to Whiskey Creek - 4/13/2021 - Animal Waste
18 months ago
Unnamed Tributary to Mud Creek - 4/14/2021 - Animal Waste
18 months ago
Otter Creek - 5/26/2021 - Unknown
18 months ago
Unnamed Tributary to Canoe Creek - 6/17/2022 - Environmental
18 months ago
Otter Creek - 8/9/2022 - Unknown - Anthropogenic Suspected
18 months ago
Lake Oelwein (impoundment of Otter Creek) - 4/28/2022 - Disease/Parasite/Stress
18 months ago
Folsom Lake - 8/11/2021 - Environmental
31 months ago

Fish Kills and Water Quality Assessments

As described in Iowa DNR's current methodology for water quality assessments, occurrence of a single pollutant-caused fish kill, or a fish kill of unknown origin, on a waterbody or portion of a waterbody during the most recent three-year period indicates an impairment of the aquatic life uses.

Each report of a fish kill will be reviewed to determine whether development of a TMDL is appropriate. In the absence of an ongoing source of a pollutant, TMDLs will not be developed for kills caused by a one-time illegal or unauthorized release of manure or other toxic substance. Impacts from this type of fish kill are addressed through IADNR's enforcement procedures. Fish kills attributed to authorized discharges (i.e., a discharge meeting permit limits) are considered for Section 303(d) listing as the existing, required pollution control measures are not adequate to address this impairment.