State investigates foul odor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State agencies are investigating a foul odor that has been reported as far north as Moberly, Mo., and as far south as Eldon, Mo., in the Ozarks region.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources on Thursday began performing meteorological analyses to track the source of the odor based on wind speeds and direction. The department said the air movement has generally followed the Missouri River.

DNR spokeswoman Connie Patterson said the odor she has heard described as smelling like musty sweatsocks to dirty diapers may be originating from the Lake of the Ozarks, where water from the lake's bottom works its way to the surface, bringing with it bacteria that interacts with the air and creates the smell.