Millions of gallons of cow manure flow into the Snohomish River

Published 9:41 pm Tuesday, April 13, 2010

SNOHOMISH — Multiple agencies responded Tuesday after an earthen dike surrounding a large dairy waste lagoon near Snohomish failed, allowing cow manure to spill into French Slough and the Snohomish River.

The lagoon has a 21-million gallon capacity. Most of the manure-laden water spilled onto fields owned by the Bartelheimer Brothers dairy farm at 12224 92nd St. SE, according to the state Department of Agriculture. Some, however, went into the slough and in turn the river.

The spill was discovered Monday. It appears no public drinking water supplies are affected, officials said. The Snohomish Health District is urging the public to avoid contact with the Snohomish River.