Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said Friday, red dye poured into a storm sewer in Clarinda has reached a tributary of the West Nodaway River in Page County, Thursday. A local resident noticed the bright red water flowing into the tributary Thursday evening and notified the Department of Natural Resources.

Environmental specialists for the DNR did not find any dead fish in the tributary. Water samples have been collected for analysis to determine potential impacts to the stream. During the investigation, the DNR determined that an employee with Clarinda Coop, located on First Street, rinsed a jug of Color Coat Red, a dye used in the treatment of soybeans, into a storm sewer outlet.

The Clarinda Police Department assisted with investigation of the spill and helping identify the source. The City of Clarinda is working to identify storm sewer connections to determine if any other parts of the system may have been affected. The DNR is continuing to investigate the incident and will consider enforcement action if appropriate.