Fish Kill Event - Bloody Run Creek

DNR CO Jerry Farmer was notified of a fish kill on Bloody Run Creek by a caller on Saturday evening,4/18/2020 while investigating a semi-tractor trailer accident that included driver injuries and a >5,000 gallon diesel spill thatcontinued after dark. Mike Steuck was notified by CO Farmer at 10:00 am on Sunday, 04/19/2020 while assessing the dieselspill. Steuck and DNR FO1 ES Brett Meyers began investigating the source and upstream extent of the kill after completingthe diesel spill. Mike Siepker, Theresa Shay and Sophia Campbell began the investigation at the downstream extent of thekill, about 350 ft. below a railroad bridge on INHF-Meyer Tract off of Inkwell Rd. Over a dozen bald eagles were seen nearstream. Staff counted and measured all dead fish over a 2.6 mile distance until no dead fish were found and live fish wereseen. There were no major rain events over the weekend but many farmers were working fields, applying anhydrousammonia, manure or burning prairie. Live fish seen with dead fish at start of investigation were sluggish or sick and could beeasily netted by investigators. Dead fish were observed in deeper pools or slack water.

The kill was extensive over 2.6 miles of stream. Water was clear and near base flows at the time of assessment. One frogwas noted in the kill area that may have or may not have been associated with the fish kill. Fish had been dead for severaldays prior to the investigation but species identifications was possible for all fish carcasses. We identified the following sixspecies in the kill extent: Creek Chub, Fantail Darter, Longnose Dace, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and White Sucker.