Contact(s): Ben Uvaas, DNR agricultural specialist, 920--303-5433; Ed Culhane, DNR communications, 715-781-1683
July 7, 2016 at 10:45:56 am
GREEN BAY - Manure runoff from a hayfield in far northern Calumet County is adversely affecting water quality in Plum Creek as it flows north through the town of Holland in southwest Brown County.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is encouraging landowners in the region to use caution and advises against allowing pastured or domestic animals to use the stream for drinking. While the stream is not a source of potable water, parents are advised to keep children from playing in the small tributary.
Ben Uvaas, a DNR agricultural specialist, said a portion of the stream - the section beginning at County K in Calumet County and flowing north to County Z in southwestern Brown County - is the most heavily affected.
Small dead fish - primarily suckers, chubs and other minnows - have been found in this section.
As of Wednesday morning, there were no impacts downstream of Lamers Clancy Road, about two miles south of Wrightstown, but it is expected some measurable impacts will occur as the contamination moves north with the current. Plum Creek flows into the Fox River at Wrightstown.
Other tributaries join Plum Creek between County D and Wrightstown.
DNR officials, with land and water conservation staff from both counties, responded Monday to a complaint along the stream at Holland and Wayside Road and traced the source. An environmental contractor was called in by the farm responsible and approximately 10,000 gallons of manure-tainted water was pumped out of the creek. The investigation is ongoing.
Uvaas said DNR will continue to monitor water quality in the creek.
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