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Iowa DNR investigates fish kill in Lyon County

September 6, 2013, Doon, IA – On Labor Day, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources investigated a fish kill on the Little Rock River east of Doon in Lyon County.

A concerned citizen reported the fish kill to the DNR in the morning. When environmental specialists arrived at the river, they found high levels of ammonia, odor and color indicating manure-laden water killed the fish.

They traced the runoff to two open feedlots north and east of Doon.

The area received about two inches of rain a few days before. The preliminary investigation indicates manure-laden runoff ran overland and then into draws that flow to the river.

DNR staff found dead fish along a two-mile section of stream starting about 1.5 miles north of the Highway 75 bridge. The dead fish included many smallmouth bass and channel catfish, along with carp, suckers, largemouth bass, gar, chubs and minnows.

DNR fisheries specialists are on site conducting a fish count. The DNR will continue to monitor the clean up and consider appropriate enforcement action.