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WI DNR update on Grant County manure spill

March 2, 2016, Fennimore, WI – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to investigate a manure spill in Grant County.

The spill occurred on Feb. 17 near the intersection of County Highway Q & Wood Road near Fennimore.

While the spill has been contained, manure and runoff did enter Castle Rock Creek, a high quality stream popular with trout anglers. Initial cleanup and control of the discharge was completed Friday Feb. 19. Department staff are investigating the cause of the spill and assessing impacts to the local environment. Staff from several DNR programs – including runoff management, spills, enforcement, water quality and fisheries – responded literally within minutes of hearing about the spill, supervised containment and cleanup efforts and continued to monitor the situation.

Department staff have assessed the stream and recovered approximately 50 dead trout since the spill occurred. Assessing the severity and extent of any impact to the trout population has been difficult, due to cloudy water from the spill, normal spring runoff and heavy snowmelt shortly after the spill. Staff will continue to monitor the stream for impacts to fish.