The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says DNR Conservation Officer Dan Pauley reported a fish kill in a creek near Westside in Crawford County to the DNR Environmental Services Field Office in Atlantic on Thursday, Sept. 19th.

Holly Vandemark responded Thursday afternoon and observed dead chubs and minnows and a few larger fish in the East Boyer River for a mile downstream, possibly originating between the FAC Farmers Co-op Elevator and the city wastewater lagoon. The fish appeared to have been dead for some time.

Water samples from the kill area and downstream revealed only the slightest elevation in ammonia, nitrate and dissolved oxygen. Live fish and aquatic wildlife were observed in the sampling areas. There may be several contributing factors to the fish kill and the DNR will continue to investigate.

Report fish kills and spills to the state’s 24-hour spill line at 515-281-8694.