Utah park remains closed following 21,000 gallon oil spill that killed some birds

Utah park remains closed following oil spill

SALT LAKE CITY — A popular Salt Lake City park remains closed after a leaked pipeline sent more than 20,000 gallons of oil into a creek that flows through neighborhoods, into the park and ultimately the Jordan River.

The spill coated about 150 birds who use Red Butte Creek and a large pond at Liberty Park with oil. Salt Lake City Joint Information Center spokesman Jason Olsen says a few of those birds have died.

Chevron determined the pipeline broke Friday evening, but it wasn’t shut off until Saturday morning. The underground pipeline flows to Salt Lake City from Colorado and feeds the city’s oil and gas refineries.

Olsen said Sunday crews were continuing to clean up Liberty Park and residents near affected waterways were urged to stay away from them.