Red Dye Spill Turns Prairie Creek Red, DNR Investigates Cleanup in Maquoketa

A punctured 330-gallon tote of wood mulch dye spilled into Prairie Creek in Maquoketa, Iowa, turning the creek red and prompting a cleanup operation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The dye entered the creek via a storm drain and is expected to color the Maquoketa River as Prairie Creek feeds into it. DNR officials have been on site since the incident, coordinating with responsible parties and overseeing ongoing cleanup efforts. No impact on fish or local wildlife is anticipated, and no dead fish have been observed. Authorities have assured the public that the dye is not expected to pose environmental risks, though monitoring continues. The incident has drawn attention to the importance of swift response to industrial spills to protect local waterways.