Five years ago today, an oil pipeline near Marshall, Michigan split open, starting the biggest inland oil spill in U.S. history.
The heavy tar sands oil came from Enbridge Energy's pipeline 6B. The oil flowed intoTalmadge Creek and then into the Kalamazoo River.
The effects of the oil spill are still ongoing, with new phases of cleanup and restoration on the horizon and numerous legal settlements with Enbridge in the news.
This week, we went back to the river and checked in with those affected by the spill (see more here and here.) And we investigated a rumor about Enbridge's use of a harmful surfactant in the Kalamazoo River (we found no evidence to support the rumor).
Today, on the five-year anniversary of the Kalamazoo River oil spill, we look back on 15 major events of the spill.
From broken pipeline alarms misinterpreted by Enbridge employees, to millions of dollars in damages and not-quite-clean-yet environments, you can see the timeline of events below, or go here for an expanded view.
- Taylor Wizner & Lindsey Scullen, Michigan Radio Newsroom
*Editor's Note: Enbridge Energy is a financial supporter of Michigan Radio.
