Over 250,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer leaked from a tank at NEW Cooperative in Red Oak, Iowa, last week and so far has left over 40 miles of dead fish and wildlife in its wake as it moves downstream in the Nishnabotna River. The cause of the spill is under investigation, but the fertilizer leaked from a valve that apparently was not shut off or did not shut off properly.

An investigation into the extent of the environmental damage is ongoing, according to Atchison County’s Missouri Conservation Agent Justin Ralph, but the effects are quite obvious. Residents have been posting videos from Iowa down into Missouri of fish floating on the water and geese swimming on those waters. Although the effects of the fertilizer dissipates as it floats downstream, it’s obvious that the huge amount will flow many, many miles before it is no longer a hazard. Its effect on the river is made worse by low river levels as more water and higher flows would help dilute the chemical.

Missouri officials also are investigating the impacts the spill might have on the drinking water of residents. The Nishnabotna River flows for about 10 miles into Missouri before joining the Missouri River. Larger cities along the river draw drinking water directly from the river, but the Missouri River is larger with a heavier flow and the cities are around 100 miles or more from the original spill. Only time will tell.