SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Sioux-Preme Packing Co. has hired a contractor to clean up the water in the West Branch Floyd River, the site of a recent fish kill that was traced to the pork processing facility.

Water contaminated with ammonia collected behind at least one beaver dam in a tributary to the West Branch Floyd River, according to a report on SCJ.com. The contractor will pump the contaminated water out of the pool behind the dam and haul it to a farm field where it can be used as fertilizer.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources staff found elevated ammonia levels and thousands of dead fish, including game fish, for at least nine miles downstream from the plant. Fisheries staff conducted a second count of dead fish on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30.