Environment

Pipeline on reservation in North Dakota spills 1M gallons of fluid






Red marker on aerial map shows Bear Den Bay, which leads into Lake Sakakawea. Image from Google Maps

A pipeline on the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota ruptured sometime in the last few days, spilling an estimated 1 million gallons of saltwater on the reservation.

Chairman Tex Hall said the spill has been isolated and contained. But an unknown amount of the liquid entered Bear Den Bay, which leads into Lake Sakakawea, a source of drinking water on the reservation.

The spill also caused environmental damage. A geologist from the North Dakota Department of Health said he saw dead trees, dead bushes and dead grasses in the area.

Crestwood Midstream Services Inc., which owns the underground pipeline, said cleanup will take weeks. The saltwater in the pipeline was formed as a result of oil and natural gas production.

Get the Story:
North Dakota pipeline spill cleanup may take weeks (AP 7/10)
Bakken Leak Puts Spotlight on Fast-Growing Crestwood Midstream (The Street 7/10)
Estimated 1M gallons of saltwater leaks in ND bay (AP 7/9)

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