Northwest Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating three manure discharges caused by the recent heavy rainfall in northwest Iowa.
Two of the discharges were in Sioux County, and one in Lyon County.
The DNR responded to Gaylon Rozeboom Feedlot near Rock Rapids where the effluent basin was overflowing and reaching a nearby unnamed tributary of Mud Creek, which was out of its banks due to the excessive rainfall. The owner has been land-applying manure, but the ground is saturated from the rain and the applied manure was running off into the same flooded unnamed tributary in a different location. Water samples have been collected by the DNR. In the meantime, the owner will turn the pumps on and off more frequently to minimize the discharge.
The DNR also responded to Remmerde Farms near Rock Valley where the effluent basin was overflowing and had reached an unnamed tributary of Dry Creek. The owner will pump as often as possible to try to eliminate the discharge.
DNR staff also observed a discharge at Van Essen Feedlot near Rock Valley. The manure discharge was coming from a leaking pipe near the effluent basin. DNR staff say they are working with the owner to determine the cause of the discharge and to get it stopped. The manure discharge was entering an unnamed tributary of Dry Creek.
All facilities are covered by National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System discharge permits; however, the DNR will consider enforcement action if they think it’s appropriate.
DNR officials say no fish kills were reported or observed from the discharges.
