Fish Kill Event - Cedar River

Don Chase reported the following: I observed the Cedar River yesterday afternoon. As reported by Officer Sloterdyk there were 50 to 60 dead rough fish in the area north of the five in one dam. There were also approximately 20 fish south of the dam in various stages of decomposition. Many had been partially eaten. Nothing unusual was indicated by the test kit. Oxygen levels were fine and no ammonia was detected. I proceeded upstream in an effort to determine if there was a source. One to five of the sme type of fish were observed washed up with driftwood and along the shore at various points through Ellis Park. Several of the fish had also been partially eaten. I proceeded west past the Ellis Road wayside area where I saw one fish float by. I then stopped across the road from 4927 Ellis Road. The Cedar River curves from the northwest to the east at that point. I observed approximately 1/8 of a fish that had been partially eaten at that point. In total I observed approximately 20 fish in total at the points I observed upstream from the dam. I discussed the information with Steve Waters, Fisheries Regional Supervisor, and Jon Christensen, Natural Resources Technician. Mr. Christensen was scheduled to be in the area and will observe the situation today, August 6, 2002. I advised Mr. Christensen that I would be available to assist if needed. At this time an exact cause for the dead fish has not been determined. The fish may be floating down river after dying from lack of oxygen, disease, or another cause. I advised John Ersig, Linn County Health, that we need to be informed of dead and struggling fish as soon as possible. During my observations no struggling fish were observed, only dead and decomposing fish. I also advised Conservation Officer Ron Lane of the situation. Aric Sloterdyk will be off duty for six days. Jon Christensen reported the next day: I did check on the fish kill near the Five and One Dam on the Cedar River that you notified me about yesterday at 3:30 p.m. I observed 3-6 dead fish from the west shoreline south of Ellis Park floating in the middle of the river. The fish appeared to have been dead for a few days. Three dead channel catfish were also dead floating near the west shoreline between the R.R. bridge at Quaker Oats and the Five and One Dam. The three catfish were beginning to turn white and were bloated. Approximately 20 fish that were partially decayed in the same stretch were aslo seen along the west shoreline and under shoreline vegetation. The majority of the fish along the shore were river carpsuckers, a few channel catfish and carp were also observed. I did not see any fish that had died recently. I did talk to Marty Winters a concerned citizen in the area that said he contacted Aric Sloterdyk on the kill. Marty said he observed fish dead last week also. Marty said we could contact him for any further information 319-366-4995.