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DNR investigating manure runoff in Carroll County, IA

HALBUR, Iowa (Iowa DNR) - Manure running off an open feedlot and into Brushy Creek east of Halbur in Carroll County, Iowa, has been stopped.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources began its investigation of the runoff Thursday afternoon after receiving a report from Des Moines Waterworks earlier in the day. Brushy Creek eventually flows to the Raccoon River which is used by the Des Moines Waterworks serving approximately 500,000 customers in the metro area.

Upon arrival, manure was observed overflowing the manure controls located on the southwest side of the feedlot, flowing south through the harvested field, into the roadside ditch, through a cement culvert, into Brushy Creek. While no dead fish were observed, impact to the stream was visible at least five miles south of the feedlot owned by Jim Halbur.

Dirt was moved to prevent the manure from the 900-plus head operation from entering Brushy Creek. Halbur was also advised to continue monitoring the controls put in place so that no additional manure reached the stream.

Water samples were taken from where the manure was entering the stream, as well as both upstream and downstream to determine the impact to the creek.

The DNR investigation is continuing and potential enforcement actions may be taken for water quality violations once the water samples have been analyzed.