WALCOTT—A sheen on Mud Creek in western Scott County about 10 miles northwest of Walcott led to the discovery of a leaking pipe from an above-ground diesel fuel tank Thursday morning..
A neighbor traced the fuel back through an unnamed tributary of Mud Creek to an underground tile line in a farmyard. The Maysville Fire Department responded, placing absorbent booms in the tributary to prevent the fuel from traveling further downstream. Mud Creek flows northeast about 10 miles to the Wapsipinicon River.
The farmer is unsure when the leak occurred, making it difficult to estimate the amount spilled. Possibly 500 gallons spilled, with maybe half of that reaching Mud Creek before the booms were in place.
DNR staff took water samples for testing and checked downstream for impacts. They found no dead fish, but did see live fish.
DNR will continue to monitor the situation and consider appropriate enforcement action.