SNOHOMISH, Wash. (AP) — The Washington Agriculture Department says a dike breach in a dairy waste lagoon with a 21-million-gallon capacity has sent a large amount of cow manure flowing through farm fields and into the Snohomish River.
Agriculture spokesman Jason Kelly said Tuesday a 30-foot-wide section of the dike failed either late Sunday or early Monday but the extent of the problem wasn’t known until late Monday.
The state agency says the manure has filtered through the fields, reaching the river and French Slough (Slew), which feeds into the river.
The Washington Health Department says it appears no public drinking water supplies have been affected. The Snohomish Health District is urging people to avoid the river, since cow manure is likely to contain E. coli bacteria.
The state’s Fish and Wildlife Department is assessing impacts on fish. No fishing season is currently open on the Snohomish River.
