The UAN spill that occurred on March 11 at the NEW Cooperative Inc. facility (GM March 15, p. 1) in Red Oak, Iowa, has killed more than 749,000 fish in a nearby stretch of the East Nishnabotna River, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
NEW on March 11 notified the DNR of a release onsite of approximately 1,500 st of UAN-32. The product was discharged into a drainage ditch, then into the East Nishnabotna River. According to the DNR, an aboveground storage tank valve was left open and caused the spill. Dead fish were observed at the time, but the extent of the fish kill was not yet known.
DNR Fisheries staff investigated the impact of the spill and found the fish kill occurred in 49.8 miles of the East Nishnabotna and Nishnabotna Rivers downstream of the spill and ended near the confluence with the Missouri River, according to local news reports. A total of 13 fish species were impacted, including carp, catfish, largemouth bass, suckers, and goldeye. The largest kill occurred among minnow shiner dace chub at 707,871.
The DNR said it continues to monitor cleanup efforts, and field test results indicate ammonia levels are declining in the river. The agency continues to advise people to avoid recreating on the river and collecting and/or eating dead fish found on or near the river, however. DNR field staff are working with the DNR’s Legal Services Bureau to determine the next steps related to enforcement actions and restitution for lost aquatic life.