Iowa DNR
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
Dry Branch Creek - 9/18/2024 - Organic Material
2 days ago
Des Moines River - 9/11/2024 - Gas Bubble Disease
2 days ago
Coralville Reservoir - 7/8/2024 - Environmental
over a month ago
East Branch Buffalo Creek - 8/27/2024 - Unknown
over a month ago
Des Moines River - 8/28/2024 - Environmental
over a month ago
Des Moines River - 7/26/2024 - Gas Bubble Disease
over a month ago
Red Rock Reservoir - 8/12/2024 - Disease/Parasite/Stress
over a month ago
Meyer Lake - 7/25/2024 - Disease/Parasite/Stress
2 months ago
Mud Creek - 7/18/2024 - Animal Waste
2 months ago
Mill Creek Lake - 5/31/2024 - Disease/Parasite/Stress
4 months ago
Cedar Creek - 7/17/2023 - Unknown
4 months ago
Crane Creek - 6/7/2023 - Unknown
4 months ago
McLoud Run - 1/23/2024 - Chlorinated Water
4 months ago
Otter Creek - 9/5/2022 - Other Chemical/Pollutant
4 months ago
Ioway Creek - 7/9/2021 - Chlorinated Water
4 months ago
Soldier Creek - 11/8/2022 - Environmental
4 months ago
Unnamed Tributary to Little Volga River - 10/22/2023 - Animal Waste
4 months ago
Shirey Lake - 2/16/2024 - Environmental
4 months ago
Des Moines River - 7/10/2023 - Environmental
6 months ago
East Nishnabotna River - 3/11/2024 - Ammonia/Fertilizer
6 months ago
Des Moines River - 8/25/2023 - Environmental
13 months ago
Upper Iowa River - 8/21/2023 - Environmental
13 months ago
Bee Branch Detention Basin - 6/18/2020 - Ammonia/Fertilizer
13 months ago
Red Rock Marina Bay, Lake Red Rock - 8/23/2023 - Environmental
13 months ago
Rice Lake - 7/31/2023 - Environmental
14 months ago
Lake Orient - 8/4/2023 - Environmental
14 months ago
Beeds Creek - 6/1/2023 - Unknown (Anthro Suspected)
15 months ago
Little River Lake - 5/22/2023 - Disease/Parasite/Stress
15 months ago
McLoud Run - 4/3/2023 - Chlorinated Water
15 months ago
Unnamed Tributary to Otter Creek - 6/4/2023 - Environmental
16 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.