State environmental crews are keeping a close eye on a manure runoff that has reached Geneva Lake, after rain washed recently spread manure from nearby fields into an unnamed creek feeding the lake’s south end. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff first spotted the runoff Friday near South Lakeshore Drive and Linn Road in the Town of Linn. Officials say personnel remain on site while the farm works to stop the discharge, and the agency is urging people to avoid any activities that might lead to accidentally swallowing water from the creek or the lake, as reported by FOX6 Milwaukee.
According to FOX6 Milwaukee, DNR staff conducted a site visit after rainfall and found manure washing off fields into an unnamed tributary that feeds the south end of Geneva Lake. A state notice reproduced by WisPolitics identified the operation as Merry-Water Farms and said DNR staff documented the runoff during a March 6 site visit. The department has not yet estimated how much manure ultimately entered the creek and lake.
How officials are responding
The DNR has staff on the ground monitoring water conditions and working with the farm to halt any additional discharges. The agency’s Wisconsin DNR manure spill guidance calls for immediate reporting through its hotline (1-800-943-0003) and recommends containment measures and nutrient-management planning to reduce runoff risks. The guidance also directs farmers to the state’s Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast so they can avoid spreading manure right before rain events.
Why this matters locally
Geneva Lake has had its share of water-quality headaches in recent seasons, including a harmful algal bloom in 2024 that forced beach closures. Extra nutrients from manure can fuel more of those blooms and drive down oxygen levels, which can hurt both recreation and fish habitat. FOX6 Milwaukee covered last summer’s harmful algal advisories, and WPR has reported that manure spills in other parts of Wisconsin have led to fish kills and enforcement settlements, including a Monroe County dairy that agreed to pay a $120,000 fine after a 2024 spill. Officials say how much ecological damage this incident causes will depend on the volume of runoff, the timing and how effective any cleanup and follow-up work are.
What residents should do and what to expect next
The DNR is advising people to steer clear of swimming, drinking or otherwise ingesting water where contamination is suspected. The agency says it will post updates if testing shows any public-health risk. Residents can report concerns to the DNR spill hotline or review the agency’s manure spill guidance for recommended next steps. Staff say they will continue monitoring conditions while the farm addresses the runoff and that any enforcement decisions will come after the agency completes its investigation.
