(Avoca) The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a petroleum release at the West Nishnabotna River near Avoca in Pottawattamie County.
On June 24, staff from the DNR’s Atlantic Field Office observed a petroleum sheen entering the West Nishnabotna River, just north of the Avoca exit off Interstate 80.
The petroleum originated from the Eagles Landing Flying J Truckstop located just north of the City of Avoca. The facility is a registered leaking underground storage tank (LUST) site with the Iowa DNR, with a No Further Action classification since 2011.
This spring, a complaint was filed with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding potential petroleum contamination at the facility. During the investigation of the complaint, it was discovered that a petroleum product was being discharged into an on-site stormwater retention basin. The investigation found that the release did not reach any state water body. Eagles Landing has been cooperative in conducting cleanup activities following the discovery of the release.
Recent heavy rainfall in the area has impacted cleanup efforts at the facility, leading to an unknown amount of product reaching the West Nishnabotna River.
A contractor hired by the facility has added absorbent booms and sphag sorb to the river to prevent further downstream movement. The public is asked to avoid the area at this time. No dead fish have been observed, and the investigation is ongoing.
