Fast acting by New Albin landowner and hog producer David Weymiller when a pipe coupler on manure application equipment broke Monday largely contained the manure and prevented a much worse situation, according to an Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) report released Thursday.
“In less than an hour, the landowner did a great job of damming the creek and preventing further damage downstream,” said Theresa Shay, technician at the DNR’s Decorah fish hatchery. “We checked every place between the spill site and the Upper Iowa River for dead fish, and we only found two dead fish in the entire stretch—two white suckers, but we did see live sticklebacks and white suckers.”
DNR investigators were unable to assess the full extent of the spill’s impact on the stream, Shay said. Weymiller initially reported more dead fish, but they may have washed downstream when one of the temporary dams broke or been pumped up during cleanup efforts, she said.
The spill occurred on Clark Creek as Krauskopf Pumping Service of Decorah pumped liquid manure from Weymiller’s hog confinement to farm fields in order to spread it.
As estimated 1,000 gallons were released, according to DNR estimates. Water and manure behind the makeshift dam were pumped to a nearby field for land application.
“Having the landowner and the equipment onsite were factors in preventing further damage,” said DNR Environmental Specialist Brett Meyers. “They did what they could to protect the Upper Iowa River.”
Field tests later showed slight levels of ammonia in the creek and none in the Upper Iowa, according to the DNR. Laboratory results will be available in about a week, and the DNR will take appropriate enforcement action, they said.
Another close call occurred Oct. 9 near Coon Rapids when a collision between two manure tankers owned by Schon Manure Hauling led to a 9,500-gallon manure spill. No injuries were reported in the accident.
A DNR investigation conducted Oct. 10 concluded the spilled manure did not reach a water source or tile intake. The manure applicators cleaned up the spill, spreading the manure in the crop field, the DNR said.
Of the three Schon Manure Hauling employees involved in the incident, only one, Brady Brehmer, was certified as a commercial manure applicator, according to the DNR report. Chris Edwards and Jamie Hansen were not certified, although they finished annual training in February.
Certification is not complete until paperwork is filed with DNR and fees have been paid. Edwards, Hansen and Schon Manure Hauling completed certification Oct. 13 by paying the required fees.
“Producers should make sure they are hiring certified manure applicators,” said Alison Manz, DNR environmental specialist. “Even businesses who are hiring from another business should check to make sure the person they are hiring is certified.”
According to the DNR, the first and easiest way to check both an employee’s and a business’ certification is to check the expiration date on the 2015 manure applicator certificate and business certificate.
Other ways to check commercial certification status include searching the online Iowa State University Extension and Outreach database of currently certified businesses, calling the local ISU Extension office, calling Colleen Conroy with the DNR licensing bureau at 515-725-8268 or calling one of the regional DNR field offices.
Manure applicators who need to renew their certificates can schedule an appointment with their local Extension office to complete video training or with their DNR field office to take a test. For more information, ISU Extension’s Iowa Manure Management Action Group or the DNR’s Manure Applicator Certification website.
