DNR monitoring manure spill near Village of Norwalk, Monroe County

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responding to a manure spill that occurred at a dairy farm in Monroe County last week. Spill response continued throughout the week, and DNR staff continue to monitor the situation.

At this time, the DNR believes the spill was caused by mechanical failure at the farmstead. The spill resulted in degraded water quality and a fish kill in Moore Creek and in an adjacent tributary. The spill originated east of Norwalk, Wis. and south of State Highway 71. An accurate estimate of the amount of manure lost isn’t available at this time.  

Agencies were first notified of the spill by an observant angler fishing in Moore Creek. Information on manure spills and manure spill prevention is available at dnr.wisconsin.gov.

DNR staff, Monroe County officials and the farm are working to identify both short- and long-term mechanisms to prevent additional manure runoff from reaching local waterways.