Posted: August 12, 2008

The chance that bacteria in a lake or river can contaminate fish is as likely as the Pittsburgh Steelers winning the World Series. It simply cannot happen.

But the confusion is understandable given the number of mixed messages Iowa anglers receive about the contamination in Iowa rivers after the number of wastewater treatment plants were knocked off-line during the floods last summer, said John Olson, environmental specialist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Section.

"This issue comes up every so often and I can't stress enough that bacteria in the water and the wholesomeness of fish are not related," Olson said. "Assuming you clean and cook the fish properly, bacteria is a non issue."

Anglers in parts of Iowa that experienced long periods of floodwaters taking wastewater treatment plants off-line have been asking if it is safe to eat fish caught from those rivers where the plants are releasing the sewage.

"It's just a non issue. Bacteria in water does not accumulate in fish flesh. There is no reason for someone who catches some catfish at Palisades-Kepler to not take them home and eat them," Olson said. "Based on results of historical fish contaminant monitoring in and downstream from Cedar Rapids, those fish are safe to eat."

Iowa DNR plans to conduct additional fish contaminant monitoring downstream from Cedar Rapids in 2008 as part of the annual DNR/U.S. EPA fish contaminant monitoring program. Anglers should also be aware that fish in all types of waters can sometimes develop diseases and may become infested with parasites. Again, common sense says that fish showing signs of obvious health problems should not be eaten.

Paul Sleeper, fisheries biologist for the district that includes Cedar Rapids, said the constant stream of messages about bacteria levels and sewage has many people scared of the water. What people need to realize is, there is always bacteria in the water regardless of the conditions, Sleeper said.

"Fish are safe to eat. Just use a little common sense. Wash your hands after handling fish regardless of the body of water. Always take a shower after swimming in a lake or river. We always make those recommendations," Sleeper said.

Olson said Iowa consumption advisories are issued for toxic substances that tend to accumulate in fish flesh including metals, pesticides and PCBs. Mercury is the main cause for issuing consumption advisories in Iowa and for advisories nationwide.

"Iowa's current advisories are not a ban on consumption but are recommendations that a person should consume no more than one meal per week of that fish species," he said. "There are no fish consumption advisories for bacteria in Iowa or in other states." A list of the current fish consumption advisories in Iowa can be found at the Iowa DNR's web site at Here

Posted: June 1, 2008
Provided by the IDNR

MORAVIA – There they were, unwanted stowaways clinging to the 1995 Silverton 362 36-foot cabin cruiser that was nearing the completion of its 940 mile journey from Lake Ponchartrain, La., to Lake Rathbun, on May 29. The boat had zebra mussels attached to the hull and was ready to be launched into Lake Rathbun but was stopped by its new owner after reading some information on the exotic invasive species placed in locations around the lake by the Iowa DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The owner found what he thought were zebra mussels near the transom around the rudder and trim tabs. He stopped the boat from being launched and had a marina employee call the local DNR office. There were an estimated 30 to 40 mussels attached to the boat.


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Posted: May 22, 2008

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Flammang, DNR fisheries, at (cell) 641-895-2327.

DRAKESVILLE - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will move ahead with a major lake renovation at 250-acre Lake Wapello, which will include draining the entire lake. The DNR had been working to draw down the water level to fix a pipe that ruptured in the dam since April, but consistent spring rains hindered the effort and the lake is still not down to the leak.

"We made the decision to empty the lake to take care of a number of problems and to do a large scale lake restoration," said Mark Flammang, area fisheries biologist for the DNR.

Flammang said the fishery was in a state of decline since gizzard shad were introduced into the system and that decline would only continue. Flammang was collecting game fish in Lake Wapello on Thursday that will be released in other area public lakes, before the lake is emptied.

"We manage our lakes to have a balance of fish species that will do well in these systems, and when someone introduces a species like gizzard shad they completely offset the lake balance. Gizzard shad will eventually overtake other desirable species and will dominate the lake," Flammang said. "I'm sure their intentions were good, but leave the stocking to us."

Eliminating gizzard shad is one goal, and while the lake is low, Flammang said workers will begin deepening the shoreline, protecting it with riprap, installing sediment ponds to improve the water quality, installing in-lake fish structure to concentrate fish for boat anglers and shore anglers, and add fishing jetties.

"We were eventually going to have to lower the lake to eliminate the gizzard shad in a few years, so with the leak in the dam, we moved up the time table and will be fixing the leak and restoring the lake," he said. "Lake Wapello has been a tremendous fishery for much of its 75 years and after the work is done it should be better than ever. This will be a big shot in the arm for the lake. It is still an excellent lake, and will continue to be in the future."

The goal is to have the project completed by the fall. The non-water related park features and campground will remain open during the construction. The bait shop and restaurant will not be in operation this year, but the restaurant will remain available for renting out as a lodge through the park office.