LOUISA COUNTY – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a hog manure release into an unnamed tributary of Roff Creek in Louisa County.
On October 16, the DNR Field Office in Washington was notified by Catnip Ridge, a certified manure applicator business, of a manure spill in a road ditch near the intersection of Q Ave & 65th St in rural Louisa County.
Staff from the DNR Field Office in Washington responded to the incident. Further investigation showed an iron fencepost went unnoticed in the tall surrounding vegetation when applicators were deploying an umbilical line. During pumping the line wore on the fence post, causing a tear which released an unknown amount of manure to the ditch before flowing into the tributary.
The applicator took immediate action once the tear was noticed. Crews ceased pumping, clamped the line, and placed dams in several locations to contain the manure. Catnip Ridge crews proceeded downstream to a nearby creek crossing and plugged the culvert.
Fresh water was added to the tributary due to low flow to assist in flushing the creek and pumping out the spilled manure. Initial water quality testing showed ammonia levels of 2.0 parts-per-million (ppm). No dead fish were observed and cleanup efforts continued late into the evening.
DNR field staff revisited the site Friday morning, and found manure still moving through the affected section of the tributary. A small number of dead fish were observed. However, the plugged culvert has prevented manure from further migration downstream.
Clean up efforts continue, and field staff will continue to monitor the creek throughout the day. The incident remains under investigation. The department will determine if further enforcement action is warranted.
To report a release after hours, please call the DNR’s emergency spill line at (515) 725-8694. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of an incident. The DNR website has more information about spill reporting requirements.