Wisconsin DNR Monitors Manure Spill in Buffalo County
Summary
The Wisconsin DNR confirmed a manure runoff event in Buffalo County that killed trout in Danuser Creek, a Class 2 Trout Stream and tributary to Waumandee Creek. An angler reported dead trout on April 19, and DNR staff confirmed the source as manure runoff from saturated farm fields. DNR staff are monitoring as the farm addresses the discharges.
“The DNR reminds farmers and agricultural producers to avoid applying manure to saturated soils and during forecasted high-risk runoff periods.”
Agricultural producers applying manure in Wisconsin should consult the Wisconsin Manure Management Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast before application, particularly during periods when soils are saturated or when high-risk runoff conditions are forecasted. The DNR's response to this incident illustrates that manure runoff from saturated fields can result in immediate environmental harm and agency attention.
What changed
The Wisconsin DNR issued a press release confirming a manure spill that killed trout in Danuser Creek, Buffalo County. An angler reported dead trout on April 19, and DNR staff confirmed manure runoff from saturated farm fields as the source. The DNR is monitoring as the responsible farm works to address discharges.
Agricultural producers applying manure in Wisconsin should consult the Wisconsin Manure Management Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast before application, particularly during periods when soils are saturated or when high-risk runoff conditions are forecasted. While no enforcement action or penalty is described in this release, the incident illustrates the regulatory consequences of manure application on saturated ground.
What to do next
- Contact the DNR Office of Communications for information
Archived snapshot
Apr 21, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2026-04-21 Contact: DNR Office of Communications
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov
DNR Monitoring Manure Spill In Buffalo County
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responding to a manure runoff event in Buffalo County near the Village of Waumandee that has impacted Danuser Creek, a Class 2 Trout Stream and a tributary to Waumandee Creek.
On April 19, an angler reached out to a local Conservation Warden and reported dead trout in Danuser Creek. In response, DNR staff conducted a site visit, confirmed the presence of dead trout in the stream, and discovered a drainage where recently applied manure was running off saturated farm fields.
The DNR continues to monitor the situation as the farm works to address the discharges.
The DNR reminds farmers and agricultural producers to avoid applying manure to saturated soils and during forecasted high-risk runoff periods. Check the Wisconsin Manure Management Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast before applying nutrients.
For more information on manure spills and prevention, visit the DNR's Manure Spills webpage.
Newsroom
How to report a spill What is a Spill Submit Files Related to ch. NR 700, Wis. Adm. Code RR Report Newsfeed
Need an expert?
- The Office of Communications connects journalists with DNR experts on a wide range of topics. For the fastest response, please email DNRPress@Wisconsin.gov and the first available public information officer will respond to you.
Related changes
Get daily alerts for Wisconsin DNR News
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from Wisconsin DNR.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when Wisconsin DNR News publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.