(Des Moines, IA) -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a large fish kill along the Lower Des Moines River in southeast Iowa. Mark Flammang of the DNR's Fisheries Bureau says more than 20,000 shovelnose sturgeon died in a 60-mile stretch of the river between Ottumwa and Farmington, Iowa in Van Buren County. Flamming says oxygen levels were fine and there were no signs of chemical poisoning. He says the unique prehistoric fish likely died due to warm water temperatures and low river flow.
He says shovelnose sturgeon are relatively abundant below Ottumwa, as many of these fish move from the Mississippi River into this section of the Des Moines River during the spring and summer. “Ottumwa has one of the largest populations of shovelnose sturgeon in the world,” explains Flammang.
“Many of these fish are over 40 years old. It will take several years to repopulate this long-living fish,” Flammang said.
This section of the Des Moines River has had sizable fish kills over the years caused by low water levels and high water temperatures, with the most recent in 2012. DNR fisheries staff partnered with Missouri Conservation to research the cause of that kill and learn more about the effects to shovelnose sturgeon populations.
Those who see dead or stressed fish at a lake or river, are asked to call the DNR’s 24-hour spill line at 515-725-8694 as soon as possible.