FORT MADISON – The DNR checked on a complaint received Sunday that manure was running off into Rogers Ditch about seven miles northeast of Fort Madison.
DNR staff found elevated ammonia levels and a manure smell where a dark discharge was flowing into the ditch Sunday afternoon.
Monday, DNR staff verified a manure discharge coming from an overflowing pit at Carroll Farms hog confinement, Wever, Iowa. An unknown amount discharged from the pit over the weekend. A farm worker said he discovered a broken water line Saturday which caused the discharge.
The producer dammed an area Monday near the facility to prevent further manure from escaping, then dammed a low spot in the field to contain manure in the field. He plans to pump manure from the road ditch back into the building.
DNR did not find any dead fish on the site and is waiting for laboratory results to determine the extent of pollution in the stream.
The DNR will monitor cleanup efforts and consider appropriate enforcement action