A Chevron pipeline leaked up to 21,000 gallons of oil into Salt Lake City waterways Saturday. The leak, that was dumping into Red Butte Creek, was shut off early Saturday morning.
Officials are saying between 400 and 500 barrels of oil had been released. The oil has reached the Jordan River and is expected to flow into the Great Salt Lake. an estimated 50 to 60 gallons of crude oil leaked into Red Butte Creek per minute.
The source of the contamination was a 10 inch Chevron crude oil pipeline. The leak began around 10:00 Friday night. Chevron reported receiving high- and low-pressure alarms Friday evening.
"We are working tirelessly with Chevron teams to contain this spill from the critical ecological areas affected in our city," said Becker. "Our fire teams have capped the site and will work to determine the damage and best course of action."
The mayor is asking for residents to stay away from Red Butte Canyon and Liberty Park so crews can adequately manage the spill, and says all water access points along Red Butte Creek, Liberty Park and the Jordan River should be avoided by humans and animals at this time.
Wildlife at Liberty Park has been affected. The park has been closed, for the first time in it's history.
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