Fish Kill Event - Dry Creek

Acute nitrogen toxicity associated with a fertilizer release in the NE 1/4 of Section 22, T87N, R7W, Buchanan County as determined by Iowa DNR Environmental Services staff.

The fish kill occurred in Section 22, 27, 28, 31, 32, and 33 of T87N, R7W, Buchanan County and originated from improper disposal of fertilizer in Section 22, T87N, R7W, Buchanan County County (as identified by Iowa DNR ESD). The length of stream assessed for fish kill was 6.33 miles (33,455 feet)—beginning at the confluence of the Wapsipinicon River and Dry Creek in section 31 and continuing upstream on Dry Creek until aconfluence with an unnamed tributary of Dry Creek in the NE 1/4 of section 22.

Stream conditions at the time of assessment provided clear water and “normal flows”. Fish showed minimal decomposition at the time of assessment suggesting the kill event occurred no more than a few days prior to the investigation. No live fish were observed during the investigation along with no live aquatic life of any kind suggesting a complete or nearly complete kill of aquatic life for more than 6 miles. Dead frog tadpoles, dead earthworms, and dead leeches were commonly observed within the assessment, but were not enumerated and were not included in the restitution calculation. Fish species identified in the kill included: Bluntnose Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Central Stoneroller, Creek Chub, Fantail Darter, Green Sunfish, Johnny Darter, Northern Hogsucker, Slenderhead Darter, Western Blacknose Dace, and White Sucker.