Two large manure spills in Iowa on Thursday are killing a lot of fish, according to state officials.
Hundreds of thousands of gallons are estimated to have spilled into creeks in the state, according to news releases from the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
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In one spill, the department said Precision Pumping, a commercial manure application company, was land applying manure when a hose came off a pump on its rig. The hose “flopped” into Lotts Creek, and an estimated 10,000 gallons of the substance flowed into the creek before the system could be shut down, the department said.
“High banks, a wide channel and swift flow make recovering the manure impractical,” and fisheries’ staff will be on-site to count the dead fish, state officials said, adding: “While not insignificant, the spill is not expected to impact downstream water supplies.”
In a separate spill, Rock Bottom Dairy reported that it had spilled several hundred gallons of manure into Mud Creek after an irrigation unit “became stuck.” Those who depend on the creek for water supply are being asked to monitor creek conditions for the next few days. State officials found “many” fish dead in the creek when they arrived.
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“Staff will work with the producer to get the spill stopped,” the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said, adding that enforcement actions were being considered.
