Fuel Spill Covers Michigan Lake Labor Day Weekend
The spill originated from a nearby gas station and was found in local storm drain systems, which is a public hazard.
By Jessica Strachan, Patch Staff
September 4, 2018
SYLVAN LAKE, MI —
A fuel spill covered a Michigan lake over Labor Day Weekend, prompting local authorities, hazmat teams and state officials to investigate. The emergency situation unfolded at Sylvan Lake in Oakland County on Sept. 1, when a team assembled to investigate a strong odor of diesel fuel and a portion of the lake covered in an oily substance.
The origin of the fuel spill has been determined as the Mobil Gas Station on South Telegraph Road in Sylvan Lake, based on the preliminary investigations.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit, Oakway Hazmat Team, the Department of Natural Resources, local fire departments and several other agencies responded to the scene, closed down the Mill Pond Dam to prevent further contamination of the Oakland County waterways. The agencies determined there was also fuel inside the storm drain systems in the area, which is a public hazard.
Authorities will continue to investigate.
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Investigators seek source of Sylvan Lake fuel spill
John Wisely, Detroit Free Press
(Photo: John Wisely/Detroit Free Press)
September 4, 2018
Investigators are trying to pinpoint the source of a fuel spill that sent a chemical film across Sylvan Lake in Oakland County Saturday evening.
"My granddaughter said 'Grandma, the water is purple,'" said Deb Hurley, who lives near the northeast corner of the lake. "At first we thought our boat was leaking but then the boaters told is it was all over the lake."
Hurley's neighbor, Nick Murray, said the spill was evident from his backyard.
"You could smell it," Murray said.
"It was diesel, some kind of diesel spill during that rainstorm," said Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner James Nash. "They don't think it was a lot. Maybe 50 gallons tops."
Most of it had been mopped up with booms placed in the water, Nash said, adding that he got approval from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to remove the booms. The lake is now safe for swimming and other uses, Nash said.
Nash said that the source of the pollution remains unknown. A gas station on Telegraph Road that authorities earlier thought may be the source was ruled out, he said.
An attendant there, who wouldn't give his name, told the Free Press that the station's tanks were inspected last week by Oscar W. Larson Co., a tank maintenance company, and no leaks were detected. He also said the station could spot a major leak because the tank volumes wouldn't match the sales logged at the register.
"It wasn't us," he said.
"We may never know the source," Nash said. "Could be someone had it in their garage and left it out and the storm came. We just don't know."
By Tuesday morning, the spill was no longer visible and swans could be seen in the water just yards away from Telegraph Road.
"As of this morning, Sylvan Lake and the Clinton River area south of the lake were clear," Melinda Steffler of the DEQ told the Free Press in an email. "The booms are to be removed and the dam reopened today."
After the spill was discovered, Oakland County Sheriff Deputies were authorized to force their way into the control station at Mill Pond Dam to prevent additional contamination, Undersheriff Michael McCabe said in a release.
The sheriff's marine unit is assisting the Sylvan Lake Police Department and several additional agencies with the investigation.
Sylvan Lake is a 402-acre lake on the main branch of the Clinton River, according to the Oakland County Parks Department.