The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has concluded an investigation regarding a fish kill in Greene County’s Hardin Creek.

The incident was first reported on August 21st by a Natural Resources Conservation Services staff member while conducting a weekly stream sampling of Hardin Creek. According to a DNR report, during the investigation by DNR Environmental Specialist Jake Theis and Senior Environment Specialist Dan Olson, they determined that due to the incident happening a few days prior to when it was first reported, critical evidence was lost or destroyed. They said the responsible party is indeterminable and a responsible party has not accepted responsibility for causing the fish kill.

Fish and aquatic life was found dead along a ten-mile stretch of Hardin Creek, east of Jefferson, to where the creek feeds into the Raccoon River. Among the fish and aquatic life that was killed included: minnows, rough fish, walleyes, smallmouth bass, shiners, channel catfish and flatheads, which had an estimated total value of $62,724. 

Several interviews were conducted during the DNR investigation, including neighboring landowners, county and city officials and further samples and photos were taken. 

Greene County Conservation Director Dan Towers tells Raccoon Valley Radio he was disappointed in the conclusion of the investigation. He reminds everyone to contact his office or the DNR anytime someone sees something suspicious in any waterway.