DENISON — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a manure spill into Buffalo Creek northwest of Denison in rural Crawford County.
On the evening of Oct. 19, the DNR Field Office in Atlantic was notified that approximately 750 gallons of manure spilled into Buffalo Creek near 240th Street. A bolt broke on a manure tanker hitch, allowing the tanker to travel down an embankment and into the streambed. The manure originated from the Jerrod Johannsen – Johannsen #2 confinement operation in Crawford County.
DNR staff from the Atlantic Field Office responded to the incident on Oct. 20. Staff observed that manure had entered Buffalo Creek, a tributary of the Boyer River, but the creek had been dammed to contain the manure. Bales were also used to soak up manure in the low-flow creek.
Cleanup efforts are underway. On-site crews continue to pump manure-laden water out of the creek, and soil will be excavated as needed. Quick actions taken by the applicators, who constructed dams immediately following the incident, prevented manure from traveling further downstream. No dead fish were observed.
The incident remains under investigation, and the department will evaluate appropriate enforcement action following the investigation.
To report a spill or environmental emergency after hours, call the DNR’s 24-hour spill line at 515-725-8694. Quick reporting helps DNR staff identify the cause of an incident and potentially prevent environmental damage or fish kills.