HAMILTON COUNTY – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a manure release into an unnamed tributary of the South Skunk River near Ellsworth in Hamilton County.
On March 28, the DNR Field Office in Mason City was notified by Hovick Hauling, a certified manure applicator, of a manure spill near the intersection of 320th St and Vail Avenue, northeast of Ellsworth. The applicator was transporting liquid manure to a field when the applicator tank rolled into a road ditch, releasing an unknown amount of manure into a surface tile intake. After entering the surface intake, the manure traveled through approximately 1.5 miles of drainage tile before discharging to an unnamed tributary of the South Skunk River.
The applicator took action to contain the spill by constructing an earthen dam in the unnamed tributary, and began removing the contaminated water to prevent it from flowing downstream. However, an unknown amount of manure reached the South Skunk River.
DNR field staff conducted an assessment of the South Skunk River on Saturday and Sunday, and found no evidence of a fish kill. 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.