Approximately 20,000 gallons of liquid manure leaks out of an above ground storage tank.
Mark Leukam, 63, of Albany, reported he had an ongoing manure leak from his above ground liquid manure storage tank. The tank holds 400,000 gallons and currently contained about 350,000 gallons. It was estimated that approximately 20,000 gallons leaked out and drained into the low land area. The low land area also contains an unnamed intermittent stream that flows easterly continuing through several miles of low land swampy area before connecting with Krain Creek, north of Two Rivers Lake.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office contacted Stearns County Environmental Services and the State Duty Officer to report the event. Stearns County Deputies responded to the scene, along with the Holdingford Fire Department, Stearns County Highway Department, and an Environmental Services feedlot specialist.
Stearns County Emergency Management, the MN Pollution Control Agency, and the MN Department of Natural Resources were also notified.
The leak was eventually stopped with a temporary fix. A trench and dirt berm were dug to stop and contain any future leaks until the tank can be fixed. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office flew the Office UAV to obtain aerial photos of the spill and surrounding area.
On-going arrangements are being made to empty the tank so the area causing the leak can be repaired.
The MN Pollution Control Agency will continue to monitor the spill and pumping efforts, and work with the farm owner to mitigate the spill.
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