Dike breach sends manure into Snohomish River

A dairy waste lagoon dike has failed, sending possibly millions of gallons of untreated manure into the Snohomish River and creating a big environmental and health hazard. The lagoon, which holds up to 21 million gallons, is at the 750-head Bartelheimer Brothers dairy in Snohomish, Washington. A 30-ft-wide breach has opened on one side of the dike, which has 15-ft-high walls. Only 5 feet of the lagoon is below ground.