It happened. Oil activity has impacted Lake Sakakawea. Oil has leaked into the lake.
The cause for the leak was a pipeline break near Charlson. North Dakota Department of Health officials learned about the break Monday and dispatched two individuals to the Charlson area Tuesday to investigate the site where the oil spill occurred. The pipeline is owned by Petro Hunt of Dallas, Texas. The company also has offices in Killdeer, New Town and Watford City.
Charlson is about 15 miles northwest of New Town and is located on the south side of Lake Sakakawea.
Mike Sauer, senior scientist with the Division of Water Quality for the North Dakota Department of Health, said Wednesday morning that about 100 barrels of produced water (salt water) went into the lake via runoff. Approximately five barrels of oil also spilled, and some did get into the lake.