OSKALOOSA – About 3 p.m. Wednesday, a producer reported a spill at the Ring Valley hog confinement a few miles north of Oskaloosa in Mahaska County.
An estimated 3,000 gallons of liquid hog manure spilled when a valve on a manure tank loading system did not close properly. While some pooled on the ground, some manure ran downhill to the north into a small tributary of the South Skunk River. The applicator acted quickly to dam the tributary, preventing most manure from reaching further downstream.
The producer, John Ryken, is pumping the water/manure mix from behind the dam and hauling it to be land applied.
DNR took water samples about 6 p.m. Wednesday. Field tests showed elevated levels of ammonia behind the dam, and reduced levels below the dam.
No dead fish were visible last night, but DNR is on-site today monitoring cleanup activities. Below the dam, DNR finds ammonia levels have dropped and live minnows are swimming around.
The DNR will consider appropriate enforcement action.