FORT DODGE, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating after an estimated 400,000 gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into the Des Moines River.
The discharge was caused when a contractor hit a force main at the Kenyon Road bridge near the river, the City of Fort Dodge told the Iowa DNR's Mason City field office. The main that was hit transports untreated wastewater under the river to a local treatment plant.
The discharge was discovered at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Iowa DNR said the force main has since been repaired and cleanup is underway.
The Iowa DNR cautions against recreational use of the river downstream, but said that no dead fish have been observed in the river.
The department said it will follow up with the city about the incident and that it will continue its investigation.
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