(Red Oak) DNR staff continue investigating the New Cooperative fertilizer spill near Red Oak in Montgomery County. The release has been stopped, and clean-up efforts are still underway.
The product flowed several miles downstream of Red Oak in the East Nishnabotna River, reaching Missouri. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been notified.
The DNR encourages private well owners in Montgomery, Page, and Fremont counties with wells in close proximity to the East Nishnabotna River to contact their county health department to test their wells for nitrate. This service is free using Iowa’s Grants-to-Counties (GTC) program. The DNR will provide county health officials with lists of registered private wells that may be vulnerable.
Due to low water levels in East Nishnabotna, the concentration of liquid nitrogen fertilizer is higher than during normal stream flows, which causes concern for all animals due to high nitrate and urea levels.
Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Toxicologist Scott Radke recommends keeping all animals away from the East Nishnabotna River until the contaminant plume moves out of the area.
The Iowa DNR is working with local, state, and federal officials and will continue to investigate the spill’s impacts.
