blake
Life Member
From The Iowa DNR:
Citizens Report Mitchell County Fish Kill to DNR
Posted: September 8, 2009
SAINT ANSGAR - The DNR is investigating a fish kill along two miles of Otter Creek in Mitchell County following a report from concerned citizens.
The citizens discovered the fish kill early Monday morning in Otter Creek, about a half mile south of the Iowa-Minnesota state line. The same two citizens did not see a fish kill when they had been along the creek around 8 p.m. Sunday, suggesting the kill took place sometime that evening or before 8 a.m. Monday. They reported the kill to the DNR at 11:30 a.m.
DNR field office staff continues to investigate the cause of the fish kill. On Monday, DNR staff noted cloudy water, a strong animal waste odor and elevated ammonia levels in the creek. Relatively low ammonia levels can be toxic to fish and other aquatic life.
DNR fisheries staff is onsite Tuesday to count and determine the species of fish killed. Initial staff observations include minnows, creek chubs and suckers, but few game fish. The kill does not appear to have reached the Cedar River.
The DNR will continue to investigate and may consider possible enforcement action.
Follow Up:
From the Iowa DNR:
Manure Discharge Led to Mitchell County Fish Kill
Posted: September 11, 2009
SAINT ANSGAR - Hog manure discharged over a cropfield caused a Mitchell County fish kill on Monday, a DNR investigation has found
Anders Knudsen, of Saint Ansgar, pumped 25,000 gallons of waste from a hog nursery building to a nearby cropfield. The manure then ran over the field and into Otter Creek, causing a fish kill along almost four miles of stream. Manure has high levels of ammonia, which is toxic to fish and other aquatic life at relatively low levels.
The majority of the more than 150,000 fish killed were minnows, shiners, chubs, dace and other small fish. The kill also claimed more than 200 sunfish and around 20 smallmouth bass. The DNR will seek $34,408.50 in restitution for the fish killed.
Two citizens discovered the fish kill, located a half-mile south of the Iowa-Minnesota border, early Monday morning and reported it to the DNR.
The DNR has instructed Knudsen to construct a berm at the edge of his field to prevent any additional discharge to the creek. The DNR will also consider additional enforcement action.
Citizens Report Mitchell County Fish Kill to DNR
Posted: September 8, 2009
SAINT ANSGAR - The DNR is investigating a fish kill along two miles of Otter Creek in Mitchell County following a report from concerned citizens.
The citizens discovered the fish kill early Monday morning in Otter Creek, about a half mile south of the Iowa-Minnesota state line. The same two citizens did not see a fish kill when they had been along the creek around 8 p.m. Sunday, suggesting the kill took place sometime that evening or before 8 a.m. Monday. They reported the kill to the DNR at 11:30 a.m.
DNR field office staff continues to investigate the cause of the fish kill. On Monday, DNR staff noted cloudy water, a strong animal waste odor and elevated ammonia levels in the creek. Relatively low ammonia levels can be toxic to fish and other aquatic life.
DNR fisheries staff is onsite Tuesday to count and determine the species of fish killed. Initial staff observations include minnows, creek chubs and suckers, but few game fish. The kill does not appear to have reached the Cedar River.
The DNR will continue to investigate and may consider possible enforcement action.
Follow Up:
From the Iowa DNR:
Manure Discharge Led to Mitchell County Fish Kill
Posted: September 11, 2009
SAINT ANSGAR - Hog manure discharged over a cropfield caused a Mitchell County fish kill on Monday, a DNR investigation has found
Anders Knudsen, of Saint Ansgar, pumped 25,000 gallons of waste from a hog nursery building to a nearby cropfield. The manure then ran over the field and into Otter Creek, causing a fish kill along almost four miles of stream. Manure has high levels of ammonia, which is toxic to fish and other aquatic life at relatively low levels.
The majority of the more than 150,000 fish killed were minnows, shiners, chubs, dace and other small fish. The kill also claimed more than 200 sunfish and around 20 smallmouth bass. The DNR will seek $34,408.50 in restitution for the fish killed.
Two citizens discovered the fish kill, located a half-mile south of the Iowa-Minnesota border, early Monday morning and reported it to the DNR.
The DNR has instructed Knudsen to construct a berm at the edge of his field to prevent any additional discharge to the creek. The DNR will also consider additional enforcement action.