Diesel Spill in Minnehaha Creek

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnehaha Creek was contaminated with diesel oil when the oil out of a generator spilled right down a storm sewer.

It all started just west of 50th and France Avenue in south Minneapolis.

A kayaker called in the problem to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on Saturday afternoon. Jason Moran was one of the first to respond.

“I noticed a strong smell from my vehicle and my eyes immediately began to water,” said Moran.

Moran traced the fuel to a storm sewer outlet in Arden Park and eventually to Lunds on west 50th Street about a quarter mile away. A generator at the grocery store was leaking 15 to 20 gallons of red diesel fuel.

“We are in conversation with them to figure out why it happened; potential enforcement activates related to the spill because this should have never happened.”

As containment booms were put into place warnings spread to stay out of the water, at least a dozen kids tubing down the creek got out doused in diesel.

The MPCA gets hundreds of these types of calls and thousands of other spill reports each year. If people don't call, there's no way of knowing how many go undetected.

Sunday afternoon crews had flushed the storm sewer with 2,000 gallons of water and the fowl smell is mostly gone.

Experts say people can get back out on the creek but everyone we talked to would rather wait.