Pipe area manure spill will not affect Lake Winnebago anglers
FOND DU LAC - As the waters of Pipe Creek continue to recover from a large
manure spill, some of which washed into southeastern Lake Winnebago, state
health officials said Walleye Weekend anglers need only follow normal
precautions in handling and cooking fish.
A small die-off of panfish along the east shore, south of the outfall of
Pipe Creek, is not related to the manure spill, report fisheries biologists
with the state Department of Natural Resources. Inspections of the fish
today reveal it was caused by a normal outbreak of Columnaris disease, which
primarily affects spawning fish in the spring. Numerous instances of
columnaris are investigated annually by DNR around the state.
Fish in Pipe Creek and near the creek outfall that died as a result of the
manure spill have been largely removed. Henry Anderson, an epidemiologist
and chief medical officer for the state Department of Health Services,
recommends against eating dead or dying fish that have floated to the
surface, even if they appear "fresh." As for fish caught normally with hook
and line, he said, simply rinse the fish thoroughly before cleaning and cook
well.
Anglers and others who come in contact with surface waters are advised to
take the normal precaution of washing their hands afterward. As always, the
safe procedure is to keep surface waters out of your mouth or sinuses. This
advice applies to all surface waters as many kinds of bacteria and viruses
are routinely present.
DNR spill coordinator Beth Erdman said today the investigation into the
Memorial Day manure spill at the Lake Breeze Dairy on Kiel Road in Malone is
ongoing. During land spreading operations, a leak in a pressurized hose
released an estimated 50,000 gallons of liquid manure. Some of this manure
entered Pipe Creek, killing fish for hundreds of feet downstream. Following
cleanup activities and significant rainfall during the past few days the
stream is returning to pre-spill conditions and fish have migrated back into
the creek.
DNR officials said Wednesday the results of water testing in Pipe Creek at
State Highway 151, at parks near the mouth of Pipe Creek, in the Calumet
Harbor Marina and along the nearby lakeshore will be made available to the
public as soon as laboratory results are available, likely within three to
five days. The results will be given to the news media and will be posted
online by both the DNR and the Fond du Lac County Health Department.
The county health department is testing two private drinking water wells at
Columbia Park and Shaganappi Park, near the mouth of Pipe Creek, to ensure
the groundwater remains uncontaminated. Those tests results will also be
made public. The geology of the area makes it unlikely this surface spill
could affect groundwater beneath the parks, said DNR agricultural runoff
specialist Casey Jones.
Persons interested in being notified about the results of these two well
tests by means of a recorded message delivered by a phone call are
encouraged to contact Fond du Lac County health officer Kim Mueller at
920-929-3085 or by email at kim.mueller@fdlco.wi.gov. Simply leave your name
and telephone number.
Additionally, a DNR lake biologist will assess the sediments settling at
bottom of Calumet Harbor Marina to determine whether manure has settled
there and whether environmental dredging is necessary.
Individuals with questions or concerns about the spill can contact DNR spill
coordinator Beth Erdman at 920-303-5410 or by email at
Beth.Erdman@wisconsin.gov or DNR agricultural runoff specialist Casey Jones
at 920-303-5426 or Casey.Jones@wisconsin.gov.