DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said it’s investigating a fish kill at a Des Moines lake.

On Tuesday afternoon the DNR announced that it received reports last week of dead fish being seen in Dean Lake, located on the southeast side of Des Moines. The DNR also said that dark-colored water and a strong, septic smell were being reported at the lake.

Dean Lake drains into multiple stormwater basins between East Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Maury Street before flowing into the Des Moines River. The DNR said that fish in the basins are now showing signs of stress, and while dead fish are expected to eventually appear in the basins, the fish kill event is not expected to affect fish or other aquatic life in the river.

The DNR advises the public to avoid the affected areas. An investigation into the fish kill is ongoing.

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