CONTAINMENT
DAMS FAIL AT COON CREEK MANURE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Sue Miller,
environmental specialist, 563-920-1588, [log in to unmask]
Blairstown— Two sand dams constructed on Thursday to contain a manure
release in Coon Creek near Blairstown failed at 6:30
a.m. Friday. DNR staff received reports that the manure spill reached the
Iowa River and the DNR is investigating.
Although the area where Coon
Creek flows into the Iowa River is inaccessible, field testing at a site about
500 feet down river showed no presence of ammonia. No dead fish were observed in
the Iowa River. The volume of water flow is sufficient to dilute the
manure.
Alternative sites to dam Coon
Creek are being investigated. The sites where the dams failed are inaccessible
due to mud.
The
manure was released Thursday by Cedar Valley Farms, a confinement dairy cattle
feeding and milking operation located south of Blairstown at 2188
78th St. The amount of manure released is unknown, but estimated to
be more than 100,000 gallons.
Manure
flowed from a tributary into Coon Creek. Sand dams successfully contained the
manure until Friday morning. Solids in the creek have dissolved. Field tests for
ammonia levels in Coon Creek are estimated at 3 parts per million or greater.
Samples have been taken to the lab for more accurate testing. With current
temperatures, 2 parts per million of ammonia will kill
fish.
DNR
fishery staff is evaluating the total effect of the manure release on aquatic
life in Coon Creek. The DNR recommends that producers keep livestock out of the
creek and talk to their veterinary about when it will be safe for livestock to
drink the water in Coon Creek.
Enforcement action is expected.
The DNR will continue to monitor the situation.
- 30 -