Bagley Unmoved over Iowa Blast

Earth does 

not move in Bagley 

during latest Iowa blast

Seismographs pick up nothing

By Ted Pennekamp

On Aug. 4, at approximately 1 p.m., the Pattison Sand Company of Clayton, Iowa conducted a river level blast at its Clayton site.

Some residents in the village of Bagley, which is across the Mississippi River in Grant County, Wisconsin, say they felt a tremor.

“It lasted about 30 seconds,” said Bagley resident and retired law enforcement officer Michael Stoner. “My house shook and some things fell off of shelves.” Stoner said some Bagley residents thought for a moment that there had been an earthquake.

Stoner said he contacted the Pattison Sand Company and asked them if they could let people know in the future when they are going to conduct other such blasts. Stoner also asked if an engineer could be present in Bagley for the next one to study how strong the blast is.

The Pattison Sand Company listened to Stoner and took his suggestions to heart. Pattison Sand conducted another river level blast on Aug. 21, this time with equipment in Bagley to measure the blast.

“We have been in communication with Michael Stoner following our Aug. 4 blast,” said Pattison Sand Company representative Courtney Severson. “We did another water shot yesterday (Aug. 21) and our mine operations manager, along with a representative from our blasting supplier, went over to Bagley. The representative from our supply company set up two seismographs, one close by Mr. Stoner’s residence and one in the park area. Neither one registered any movement of the ground during the blast, which was similar to the blast on Aug. 4. We have also agreed to contact the village of Bagley if and when we do future water shots.”