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Last updated on Thursday, June 16, 2016
(WORTHINGTON) - An anhydrous ammonia spill Tuesday morning killed fish in Lattas Creek.
Indiana Conservation officers say the chemicals leaked into the large creek, killing an estimated 500 fish from 15 species, fortunately no significant impact was made downstream on the White River. No fish kill has been observed stemming from the White River, but dead fish from Lattas Creek were carried by the current into the White River overnight.
According to a press release from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), there was an estimated 500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia released when an accident involving a tractor occurred at the intersection of U.S. 231 and S.R. 57, just north of S.R. 54 near Switz City, Bloomfield and Worthington.
No injuries were reported.
Worthington Volunteer Fire Department immediately responded to mitigate the release of vapors until the container was empty to prevent the anhydrous ammonia from migrating off-site through the air.
IDEM emergency responders say Lattas Creek is less than 300 feet from the accident site, and run-off from the fogging measure entered the creek and caused the fish kill.
The incident remains under investigation.
Report environmental incidents using IDEM's 24-hour spill line at 1-888-233-7745.
ICOs Kyle Hembree and Mike Gregg were busy investigating an anhydrous ammonia spill Tuesday in Greene County. The chemicals had leaked into a large creek, killing numerous fish
We are happy to report after extensive work by Indiana Conservation Officers, Worthington Fire Department, and IDEM, that the anhydrous ammonia leak in Greene County yesterday is under control. An estimated 500 fish were killed by the chemicals leaking into Lattas Creek, but fortunately no significant impact was made downstream on the White River.
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