DNR investigating fish kill in Winneshiek County’s Dry Run Creek following manure release

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill in Winneshiek County’s Dry Run Creek than spanned six miles.

Brett Meyers, an environmental specialist with the Field Services & Compliance Bureau at the DNR, said that as of Thursday, a count of the number of fish killed, and their species, was not complete but that an investigation is underway.

According to the DNR’s news release, the department’s Field Office in Manchester was notified Tuesday of a possible manure release and fish kill in an unnamed tributary of Dry Run Creek, southwest of Decorah.

“Upon arrival, staff observed dead fish and very murky conditions in the tributary,” the release stated.

During their investigation, DNR officials identified overland runoff from an animal feeding operation near the headwaters of the tributary of Dry Run Creek as the source of the release.

In an email to The Gazette on Thursday, Meyers said the responsible party — whose name has not been released — is “taking steps to correct the problem of manure runoff from the open lots.”

The DNR’s news release said the amount of manure released into the tributary is unknown at this time, but that “dead fish have been observed for several miles in the creek.”

Cleanup efforts have begun, but Meyers did not say how long the cleanup would take.

Meyers said there will be a “potential” for a fine for both the fish and the investigation’s cost, but there is no figure at this time.

The DNR is urging water users downstream from Dry Run Creek to avoid using the water at this time.

Olivia Cohen covers energy and environment for The Gazette and is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.

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Comments: olivia.cohen@thegazette.com