Iowa DNR investigates fish kill in Bremer, Black Hawk counties

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill along 20 miles of Crane Creek in Bremer and Black Hawk counties.

The DNR’s Manchester field office was notified Friday about dead fish in the creek about two miles southwest of Readlyn, according to a news release Monday. Officials don’t yet know what caused the fish kill, but think it originated around 250th Street and Piedmont Avenue.

“The creek has been significantly impacted, with dead fish being seen nearly 20 miles downstream near Dunkerton in Black Hawk County,” the news release said. “Numerous types of fish and invertebrates have been found dead.”

DNR staff continue to investigate. Downstream water users should avoid using Crane Creek.

This stretch of Crane Creek, a tributary of the Wapsipinicon River, had another fish kill June 7, 2023. In that case between 1,000 and 5,000 fish were estimated to have been killed by an unknown cause, according to the DNR’s fish kill database.

If you see dead or stressed fish at a lake or river, call the DNR’s 24-hour spill line at 515-725-8694 as soon as possible. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of a fish kill and potentially stop a fish kill in progress.

Comments: (319) 339-3157; erin.jordan@thegazette.com

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