BRADFORD – DNR staff determined April 25 that runoff from poultry litter located one mile north of Bradford in Franklin County reached a small tributary of Maynes Creek.
The investigation began following a complaint about chicken litter dumped in a crop field near the intake to an underground tile line.
On Monday, April 24, DNR discovered Joe Scallon, a certified commercial manure applicator from Iowa Falls, dumped the litter so he could remove his manure spreader which had been stuck in a wet spot near the tile intake. Water samples from pooled water around the litter showed high ammonia levels where runoff entered the tile line.
The tile line was partially plugged, but investigators Tuesday found some runoff flowed underground. Joined by several other tile lines, ammonia levels in the tile line were low by the time it flowed into a small unnamed tributary of Maynes Creek. DNR staff found no dead fish in the stream.
“We recognize that accidents happen and some things can’t be prevented,” said Jeff Vansteenburg, supervisor of the Mason City DNR field office.
“When something like this happens, several responses are possible including putting a plastic pipe over the tile inlet to keep runoff from going underground.”
Scallon worked Monday and Tuesday to remove the litter and pump up ponded runoff. By Tuesday evening he had removed contaminated litter and runoff and land applied it to crop fields. Repairs to the tile line should occur this week, weather permitting.
DNR will continue to monitor the tile discharge and consider appropriate enforcement action.
2 deadly chemicals in Iowas water ways and drinking wells that the Iowa DNR or cities do not include in their water tests – nitrates and ammonia – you cannot get a water test done in Iowa that includes these poisons unless maybe a Federal judge orders it. Happy fishing – I only drink bottled water anymore if Its not made in Iowa. A pesron I know lives a few miles south of the casino (worth) His well level dropped because Poet is using so much water it dropped the water table and his well became contaminated – He takes showers at the truck stop and has culligan bring him his water supply. DNR knows this is going on and turns a blind eye for the good of ?
Profit, and the fact those who own the companies dont have to live near it.