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Fish kill in IA’s Cedar County caused by manure spill

August 10, 2015, Tipton, IA – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently investigated a fish kill on Sugar Creek about 1.5 miles northeast of Tipton.

During the investigation, a local Tipton farmer stopped the investigators to say he was responsible. He had been pumping liquid swine manure from one area to another when a hose coupler failed, spilling manure from his hog confinement.

The pump was immediately shut down but found the manure had already run downhill about a half mile to Sugar Creek. Some of the manure was diverted into a low-lying area and attempted to block more from flowing to the stream.

The amount of manure released is unknown, but fisheries staff indicates at least four miles of the stream were affected, with many fish killed including some game fish.

The farmer was cleaning up the flow path and land applying the pooled manure.

The DNR will continue to monitor the cleanup and consider appropriate enforcement action, including for late notification of the spill, and fish restitution.