DES MOINES - DNR staff responded to multiple reports of dead and struggling fish seen along the Des Moines River today.
Reports came in from Prospect Park, Birdland Marina and the Court Avenue bridge.
The DNR investigation found normal water conditions with no observed contaminants in the water.
Most of the dead fish were gizzard shad, which are particularly susceptible to sudden changes in water temperature. Field office staff found dead shad all the way from the Saylorville Lake spillway through Des Moines.
DNR fisheries staff say this is a natural occurrence which happens often about this time of year—providing food for many animals including bald eagles.