Talmadge Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Talmadge Creek |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Marshall, Michigan 42°13′54″N 84°56′49″W / 42.2317°N 84.94692°W |
| River mouth | Kalamazoo River, Michigan 42°15′26″N 84°59′43″W / 42.25726°N 84.99525°W |
Talmadge Creek is a small stream in Michigan. It flows into the Kalamazoo River. You can find Talmadge Creek in Calhoun County, Michigan. It is close to the city of Marshall.
The 2010 Oil Spill and Its Impact
Talmadge Creek is known for a big oil spill that happened there. On July 26, 2010, a large amount of oil leaked into the creek. This oil was a type called "dilbit." It is a mix of crude oil and other liquids.
The oil came from a pipeline run by the Enbridge Pipeline System. This pipeline was 30 inches wide. It crossed the creek about two miles south of Marshall. The leak happened in a wet, marshy area. This area was very close to the Kalamazoo River.
How the Oil Spread
Because the leak was so close to the river, the oil quickly moved. It flowed from Talmadge Creek into the Kalamazoo River. Workers tried to stop the oil with special floating barriers called "booms." But the oil still reached the larger river.
Cleaning Up the Spill
Cleaning up the oil spill was a huge job. It took many years. In July 2016, Enbridge and the state of Michigan made an agreement. Enbridge agreed to pay $177 million. This money helped cover the costs of cleaning up the spill. It also helped fix the damage to the environment.
