(Estherville)– Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say quick action prevented what could have been a major environmental catastrophe Friday near Estherville.
An estimated 300-thousand to 400-thousand gallons of manure flowed into Brown’s Creek when a 12 inch underground pipe broke at a cattle feedlot owned by John Greig. The creek is less than 100 yards from the West Fork of the Des Moines River.
Authorities say the leak was discovered by Greig around 4:30 p.m.
D-N-R spokesman Ross Harrison says Greig immediately located a crew with Christensen Construction of Estherville which was working nearby. They brought their backhoes to the site and built four dams on the Creek. Harrison says the dams prevented the manure from reaching the river. A commercial manure applicator who was working in the area assisted by pumping out some of the manure.
Harrison says D-N-R officials will continue to test ammonia levels in the West Fork of the Des Moines River through the weekend.
