MANDAREE, N.D. - Authorities are responding to a pipeline leak near the Missouri River in northwest North Dakota.
An oil sheen has appeared on the Missouri River, said Jerry Samuelson, emergency manager for McKenzie County.
He said the leaking pipeline was being used to carry saltwater, a byproduct of oil production, but that it had previously been used to transport oil and still contains crude oil residue. Kris Roberts with the North Dakota Department of Health said the leak is near Bear Den Bay on Lake Sakakawea, a reservoir of the Missouri River.
The leak is on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation about four miles northeast of Mandaree and about 1½ miles from the Missouri.
There is a water system intake for Mandaree near the leak, Samuelson said.
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Absorbent and Safety Solutions has been called in to use boats and booms to help contain the spill, Samuel said.
Samuelson identified the pipeline owner as Aero Pipeline, LLC.
It is unclear how long the pipeline has been leaking or how much fluid has been leaked.
