[2] Oil began spewing from the pipeline sometime around 10 pm local time that Friday in the vicinity of Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City.
Several hours after detection of pressure reduction in the line, the broken pipe was discovered flowing 50 to 60 US gallons (190 to 230 L; 42 to 50 imp gal) of oil per minute into the Red Butte Creek.
[2] Oil began spewing from the pipeline sometime around 10 pm local time that Friday in the vicinity of Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City.
Residents were immediately warned to stay away from Red Butte Canyon, and Liberty Park was shut down for the day.
[1] Utilizing many oilfield service companies, including 221 personnel, two-thirds of the total spill was recovered within the first week of the rupture.
The Red Butte Creek spill received reduced attention despite it being one of the largest to occur in Region 8 in some time.
[2] In addition, the proximity of permanent residences leads to a greater potential impact on public health in the area.
[5] The most common trees along the streamside are box elder and cottonwood as well as the Siberian elm, which was an introduced invasive species.
[6] A thick, tacky substance was clinging to rocks, soil, fish, and birds in the riparian corridor where the spill occurred.
US Representative Jim Matheson believes Chevron "is responding very aggressively to [the spill]… they know there is a heightened concern among people in this country about oil spills…they understand it's in their best interest to do everything they can to fix this.
[2] The UC decided that leaving some staining on rocks and culverts was acceptable if it meant protection of the riparian corridor and the vegetated canopy.
[2] The UC knew the local ecosystem due to a recent survey of the riparian area, which facilitated consensus on a cleanup endpoint.
[1] The substance also affects waterfowl's natural water resilience and can contaminate algae, which is eaten by the animals and fish in the stream.
[1] Chevron sent in an investigation team from Houston and a special hotline has been set up to field complaints and questions from residents.
[5] The primary method of cleanup for the creek was to flood and drain the impacted area twice through manipulation of the many dams and reservoirs along its path.
[5] Several biotas were considered of high interest in maintaining the natural flow of in-creek and riparian habitats.
[5] Indicator species for the Lower Red Butte Creek environmental assessment include the mallard, the spotted sandpiper, the muskrat and the raccoon.
[9] A report was commissioned by Salt Lake City and released by the nonprofit, national Pipeline Safety Trust.
[10] Mayor Becker invited the public to listen to Carl Weimer, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust in Bellingham, Washington present his findings and recommendations for the area.