Fish Kill Event - Des Moines River
The kill began somewhere upstream of Cliffland Access (T71N, R13W, Sec.10) near Ottumwa (exact site unknown) and extended an unknown distance. Dead floating fish were identified past Bonaparte IA.
- Event ID
- 689
- Date of Kill
- 7/10/2006
- Waterbody Type
- River/Stream
- Cause Origin
- Unknown
- Cause
- Unknown
- Mode
- N/A
- Magnitude
- 1 (1 - 100 fish killed)
- Kill Length
- 10.00 miles
- Investigation Expenses
- $749.55
- County
- Wapello
- ESD Field Office
- FO 6
- Fisheries Office
- Rathbun Hatchery
- LongDD
- -92.33572
- LatDD
- 40.95715
- Created Date
- 7/19/2006 12:00:00 AM
- Last Update
- 3/18/2019 12:49:50 PM
Highlighted river segments indicate those impacted in part or whole by this fish kill event. It is not meant to represent the actual extent of the kill.
The cause of the kill is unknown. Other such kills have occurred on this river reach during low flow periods in summer over the last several years. To date, no explanation has been found. Although a few channel and flathead catfish (Ictalurus punctatus and Pylodictis olivaris, respectively) and also been observed we feel these fish died incidentally to other factors and the kill is exclusive to shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus). Samples were retrieved and taken to the U.S.F.W.S. Fish Health Lab in Lacrosse WI. Lab personnel suspect a virus specific to sturgeon is responsible for results will require 1 ½ to 2 weeks to confirm.