Iowa DNR responds to manure spill near Cresco

Posted: Fri, Dec 6, 2019 3:34 PM

Iowa DNR responded to a manure spill that occurred southwest of Cresco late Thursday afternoon.

At most about 2,800 gallons of manure leaked into the Turkey River after a manure hose broke during land application. Gary Sovereign of JBS Farms stopped the flow by driving his tractor onto the hose, and then reported the spill to DNR.

Sovereign and staff from Howard County Conservation Board checked the Turkey River for dead fish Thursday evening. DNR staff checked it again Friday morning at many locations. They found no dead fish or obvious water quality issues. High flow levels and cold water temperatures likely provided some water quality protection.

The DNR will consider appropriate enforcement action.