CARROLL – Wednesday morning the owner of a cattle feedlot located about six miles southeast of Carroll called DNR to report a leak from a runoff holding basin.
Lee Schon found the leak at the base of the basin’s bank while doing morning chores. He quickly tried to repair it, but the seepage will be ongoing until soils dry out enough to fix the basin.
The feedlot runoff is flowing about 400 feet across a field to an unnamed tributary of the Middle Raccoon River.
A DNR field specialist took samples of the discharge, and is working with Schon to minimize effects downstream. Field test results and high stream flows indicate there will likely be little impact to aquatic organisms.
Schon plans to land apply runoff remaining in the basin to a nearby pasture when soil conditions permit.
DNR will continue to monitor the situation and work with the producer to ensure permanent repairs are completed.