High Waters Raise Fears That Yellowstone River Oil Will Spread
Incident: Montana Flood Info Flood
Released: 7/6/2011
Crews cleaning up an oil spill on the Yellowstone River faced difficult conditions Tuesday as the scenic waterway rose above flood stage and stoked fears that surging currents could push crude into undamaged areas and back channels vital to the river's prized fishery.
Conditions on the swollen Yellowstone have hampered efforts to find the cause of Friday's break in the 12-inch pipeline that spilled an estimated 1,000 barrels of crude oil.
The river has been flowing too swiftly for crews to reach some oiled areas, and forecasters said mountain snowmelt was adding to high water levels. Officials speculated that the surge may push oil into areas that haven't yet been damaged.
MORE: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20110706/NEWS01/107060306/1002/rss
