(Fort Dodge) The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill in the South Branch of Lizard Creek in Fort Dodge.
On April 14, the DNR Field Office in Mason City was alerted by CJ Bio America in Fort Dodge about a leak at their facility. A fertilizer byproduct of lysine production had leaked into a stormwater channel on the east side of the plant.
Initially, plant personnel were confident that the byproduct was contained; however, they later found a breach in the channel’s berm. This led to an unknown quantity of the byproduct flowing from the breach into surface intakes in a nearby field, which connects to the South Branch of Lizard Creek.
DNR field staff were dispatched to the scene and found the byproduct several miles downstream in the creek, along with numerous dead fish over an extended stretch.
The leak has been contained, but due to water flow and access restrictions, constructing berms in the creek isn’t feasible at this time. Water samples have been taken, and the investigation is ongoing. Users downstream are urged to avoid contact with the creek for now.
For after-hours spill reports, please contact the DNR emergency spill line at (515) 725-8694. Prompt reporting assists DNR staff in determining the cause of incidents. The DNR website provides more details regarding spill reporting requirements.
