MANHATTAN, Kan. — Recovery efforts at Tuttle Creek Reservoir reached a major milestone Wednesday night as officials successfully retrieved a submerged fuel tank that had been leaking diesel into the water since Sunday.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 On-Scene Coordinator confirmed the tank, which broke loose from a commercial barge during high winds on March 15, was safely recovered at 9:42 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18.
With the tank now out of the water and the source of the diesel leak secured, the EPA is beginning the process of scaling back its immediate emergency role. Responders from the agency will conduct a final walkthrough with partner organizations before transitioning the remaining long-term response and remediation efforts to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Kansas City District and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
The incident began Sunday afternoon when the fuel cell, containing approximately 1,800 gallons of diesel, sank into roughly 20 feet of water. The tank was being used to power equipment for a local dredging project.
While the leak was active, the KDHE issued a stream advisory for Tuttle Creek Cove, advising the public to avoid contact with the water. Response teams used containment booms and absorbent pads to mitigate the spread of the fuel. Officials previously noted that the environmental impact appeared to be limited to the immediate surface water near the site of the submerged tank.
Now that the tank has been recovered, authorities will be able to more accurately assess the total volume of fuel lost and establish a comprehensive timeline for the final cleanup of the cove. The KDHE’s stream advisory will remain in effect until water quality testing confirms the area is safe for public use.
