DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill at Dean Lake in southeast Des Moines.
The DNR Field Office began receiving reports during the week of June 6 of dead fish at the lake, located off East Market Street. Officials observed dark-colored water and a strong, septic odor at the site.
Dean Lake drains into a series of City of Des Moines stormwater basins located between East Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Maury Street, where fish are now showing signs of stress. Water from these basins eventually flows into the Des Moines River. While dead fish are expected to appear in the connected basins, the incident is not expected to affect aquatic life in the river.
The DNR urges the public to avoid these areas, including fishing and wading. The investigation remains ongoing.