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Manure spill in IA reaches Mahaska County creek

October 9, 2015, Oskaloosa, IA – About 3 p.m. Oct. 7, a producer reported a spill at a hog confinement a few miles north of Oskaloosa in Mahaska County.

An estimated 3,000 gallons of liquid hog manure spilled when a valve on a manure tank loading system did not close properly. While some pooled on the ground, some manure ran downhill to the north into a small tributary of the South Skunk River. The applicator acted quickly to dam the tributary, preventing most manure from reaching further downstream.

The producer is pumping the water/manure mix from behind the dam and hauling it to be land applied.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources took water samples about 6 p.m. Oct. 7. Field tests showed elevated levels of ammonia behind the dam, and reduced levels below the dam.

No dead fish were visible last night, but DNR is on-site monitoring cleanup activities. Below the dam, DNR finds ammonia levels have dropped and live minnows are swimming around.