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North Ga

I have several piles of manure scattered around my patch, and I can't spread or till them under because of the copious amounts of rainfall. I have two small ponds downstream that are starting to turn black. There are fish. Will this runoff affect these ponds? It is goat and rabbit manure. Thanks for anything!

12/31/2002 4:47:44 PM

Kuna, Id.

Pappy,
I really don't no ,but I do no they moved cattle off some of the grazing lands around here. They said there crap and pee were killing the native cut throat. And last yr to much bacon would kill you. Who no's but I would watch it just in case,and get your shovel ready.
Ken

12/31/2002 4:55:07 PM

Roanoke Il

Why can't you spread the manure brian do you melt in the rain lol dig a trench around the piles biran that will help the run off mark

12/31/2002 5:31:14 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Pappy,

Around here, you'd be stacking bailed hay & silt fence ASAP or the state Dept of Environmental Protection would be all over you.

Don't get me wrong. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you might just want to CYA just in case.

And yes, ammonia & nitrates could kill the fishies. Plus the P may cause algae blooms next year when things warm up.

Steve

12/31/2002 5:44:47 PM

Western NY

the excess organic matter will tie up some of the oxygen in the water as it breaks down. too much, and the fish can't breathe. the nutrients will cause algae growth. as long as the fish survive, and the water clears up, it shouldn't pose any long term threat.

Andy

12/31/2002 5:45:29 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Barley Straw bails in the ponds to fight off Algae blooms natural algacide. good luck

12/31/2002 7:40:33 PM

Southern Illinois

damn i better go take all the cows away from the pond,i have been fishin there for years,and they crap in the water all the time,it will make the fish big and strong,and taste better,you will not have enough in the water to hurt any thing,our barn use to be above the pond and crap run in it every time it rain,i caught the the biggest cat and bass you ever seen,and i have fished in ponds where there are a bunch of goats.

12/31/2002 9:06:37 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

If you cover the piles with polythene sheet you would stop the pollution and stop the nutrients being leached out of the manure at the same time.

1/1/2003 3:16:04 AM

Caceres, Spain

Yes, is what I do with my manure piles. They are covered all the winter through. Easy and cheap. Don't wait till tomorrow to buy the polythene, Pappy!

1/1/2003 3:56:51 AM

Montoursville, PA

Pappy..............Easy does it! Do you have or can you get a water testing kit? The last thing you need right now is a hot shot inspector on the job. If there is a suface flow you can divert I would. I would cover the pile. And I would make note that water appears more black in winter any place there is a winter. Then I would sit an observe and test on my own.....after all the good football this week. Hee Hee........I would speak mostly of the football in case you may have a close friend you would rather not discover you had.

I am willing to bet your personal judgment with observation and serious concern will solve the problem if in fact there is one. I do not see any incorrect utterances in this line yet. This amazes me. Collectively your helpers here seem to have a pretty good handle on common sense and facts.

1/1/2003 8:48:00 AM