LACROSSE COUNTY - A manure spill in La Crosse County is estimated to have killed more than 1,000 fish.

The spill, which is being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, was reported June 8, in Bostwick Creek, in the town of Bangor. The area is just to the south of the Coulee Region Experimental Forest. 

Because the matter is still under investigation, the DNR has not yet released the name of the producer involved. The water from Bostwick Creek flows into the LaCrosse River watershed.

Bostwick Creek is a class two trout stream. Its’ uplands consist of a mix of hardwoods, pine, and underbrush. Class two trout streams may have some natural reproduction, but not enough to utilize available food and space. Therefore, stocking is required to maintain a desirable sport fishery. Streams like Bostwick Creek have good survival and carryover of adult trout, often producing some fish larger than average size.

The incident affects the area upstream of Highway M to Larson Road, according the DNR.

The area was the site of another manure spill on May 23, 2008, referred to in DNR records as the ‘Petrie Spill.’ That spill, resulting from the overturning of a liquid manure tanker in a field, happened “across from Highway 195 and Highway 16.” DNR records state that 100 gallons of manure were spilled in that incident.