Sheldon, Iowa — Manure is the most likely cause of a fish kill that began on the North Fork of the Floyd River about seven miles northeast of Sheldon in mid-August, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
DNR Investigator Ken Hessenius tells KIWA that when investigators responded to the report of dead fish on August 19th, they discovered poor water quality in the river.
Final results of water testing were received on Thursday (September 6th). They said that there were elevated levels of ammonia and E. coli — which are found in animal manure — present in the water about eight miles downstream of the kill site.
DNR officials say the dead fish probably numbered in the tens or hundreds, but it was hard to tell because heavy rain had washed away some of the fish and some of the pollutants. And animals like raccoons may have eaten some of the dead fish before they got there.
Fish affected appeared to have been green sunfish, stonecats and white suckers, according to the DNR.
Related story:
http://kiwaradio.com/local-news/dnr-investigating-fish-kill-on-the-floyd-river
