Liquid manure runoff results in fish kill in Devil Creek
On June 10, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued a press release that they were assisting with the investigation of a manure spill that originated at a dairy farm in southern Lincoln County. The spill resulted in an observable fish kill within Devil Creek and the Wisconsin River.
According to the release, on the evening of June 9, 2021, the DNR was notified of an unknown amount of liquid manure running off of a field into Devil Creek, a cool-cold headwater stream and tributary of the Wisconsin River, resulting in an observable fish kill at multiple locations within Devil Creek and later observed in the Wisconsin River, as well.
The manure release was reported to have originated off of Joe Snow Road, approximately four miles southwest of Merrill from an open valve on a manure pit at a medium-sized dairy operation. The source has been identified, and no additional manure is being released from the manure pit. Some additional run off may occur but the scene is secure and stabilized. The duration of the spill and quantity of the release is still under investigation. The DNR will continue to work with the farm and other applicable local agencies to monitor the situation and investigate the release. In addition, the DNR Emergency Response Zone Contractor staged a vac truck nearby over the weekend. Water quality continues to improve.