The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating after an unknown amount of chemicals were spilled into a creek that flows into a major river in Webster County. According to the DNR, its Mason City field office was notified by CJ Bio America about a leak at their facility just west of Fort Dodge on Monday.The DNR says a fertilizer byproduct created in the process of making the amino acid lysine had emptied into a stormwater channel in the plant, which had a breach in the berm, allowing an "unknown amount" of the chemicals to flow into an adjacent field and into the south branch of Lizard Creek.When DNR field staff responded to the incident, they found evidence of the chemical spill in Lizard Creek several miles downstream from the plant, including dead fish in the creek.The DNR says the leak at the CJ Bio plant has been stopped, but placing berms in the creek to prevent the chemicals from flowing downstream is not an option. The DNR has collected water samples and continues to investigate. It warns residents downstream from the area to stay out of the creek.Lizard Creek runs east, where it flows into the Des Moines River on the northwest side of Fort Dodge. By Tuesday, cloudy green water was seen spilling from Lizard Creek into the Des Moines River.The spot at which Lizard Creek flows into the Des Moines River is about 300 yards upstream from the city's water treatment plant. According to Chad Shaeffer, chief development officer with the city of Fort Dodge, the safety of the city's water supply is not threatened because the water treatment plant does not pull water from the river, but rather from wells deep underground.Shaeffer says the city has not experienced any problems caused by the chemical spill and has not received any directives from the DNR yet. On Tuesday, CJ Bio America shared a statement on its Facebook page:"In the early morning of Monday, April 14th, CJ Bio America personnel observed a leak at our Fort Dodge facility and immediately instituted standard safety protocols to review, repair, and prevent further breach. Our dedicated employees have been working day and night since the leak was discovered to investigate the source, implement cleanup, and ensure that any environmental impact is abated. We are working closely with federal and state agencies to assess the situation and implement necessary corrective and preventive measures. As members of the Webster County community, CJ Bio America is committed to ensuring that the place we call home is safe for our families and friends to enjoy for years to come. We remain steadfast in our commitment to environmental stewardship and the well-being of our communities and environment through our corporate initiatives and overall mission. Our pledge is to commit immediate resources to expedite cleanup and fish restocking efforts and renew our continuing support for clean waterways. Thank you for your understanding and for standing by us as we work through this issue. Our goal remains to be a great neighbor and resource to Fort Dodge and to the greater Iowa community."vlog has reached out to the DNR for more information, but has not yet heard back.» Subscribe to vlog's YouTube page» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
FORT DODGE, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating after an unknown amount of chemicals were spilled into a creek that flows into a major river in Webster County.
According to the DNR, its Mason City field office was notified by CJ Bio America about a leak at their facility just west of Fort Dodge on Monday.
The DNR says a fertilizer byproduct created in the process of making the amino acid lysine had emptied into a stormwater channel in the plant, which had a breach in the berm, allowing an "unknown amount" of the chemicals to flow into an adjacent field and into the south branch of Lizard Creek.
When DNR field staff responded to the incident, they found evidence of the chemical spill in Lizard Creek several miles downstream from the plant, including dead fish in the creek.
Andrew Motley
Fertilizer byproduct that spilled into Lizard Creek is now seeping into the Des Moines River in Fort Dodge.
The DNR says the leak at the CJ Bio plant has been stopped, but placing berms in the creek to prevent the chemicals from flowing downstream is not an option. The DNR has collected water samples and continues to investigate. It warns residents downstream from the area to stay out of the creek.
Lizard Creek runs east, where it flows into the Des Moines River on the northwest side of Fort Dodge. By Tuesday, cloudy green water was seen spilling from Lizard Creek into the Des Moines River.
The spot at which Lizard Creek flows into the Des Moines River is about 300 yards upstream from the city's water treatment plant. According to Chad Shaeffer, chief development officer with the city of Fort Dodge, the safety of the city's water supply is not threatened because the water treatment plant does not pull water from the river, but rather from wells deep underground.
Andrew Motley
Canada geese stand near the riverbank of the Des Moines River in Fort Dodge on April 15. The water has turned green from a chemical spill up river at CJ Bio America.
Shaeffer says the city has not experienced any problems caused by the chemical spill and has not received any directives from the DNR yet.
On Tuesday, CJ Bio America shared a statement on its Facebook page:
"In the early morning of Monday, April 14th, CJ Bio America personnel observed a leak at our Fort Dodge facility and immediately instituted standard safety protocols to review, repair, and prevent further breach. Our dedicated employees have been working day and night since the leak was discovered to investigate the source, implement cleanup, and ensure that any environmental impact is abated. We are working closely with federal and state agencies to assess the situation and implement necessary corrective and preventive measures.
As members of the Webster County community, CJ Bio America is committed to ensuring that the place we call home is safe for our families and friends to enjoy for years to come. We remain steadfast in our commitment to environmental stewardship and the well-being of our communities and environment through our corporate initiatives and overall mission. Our pledge is to commit immediate resources to expedite cleanup and fish restocking efforts and renew our continuing support for clean waterways.
Thank you for your understanding and for standing by us as we work through this issue. Our goal remains to be a great neighbor and resource to Fort Dodge and to the greater Iowa community."
vlog has reached out to the DNR for more information, but has not yet heard back.
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