On January 21, 2017 a pipeline carrying produced water from two well heads ruptured, releasing 280 bbls of brine water and 20 bbls of crude oil. EPA was notified on February 8, 2017, and responded on February 9, 2017. On February 10, 2017 EPA conducted a site walk from the release location downstream approximately 0.75 miles.
During the time between the release and EPAs site walk on February 10, clean up activities were being conducted by contractor SWAT. The potentially impacted waterways were divided into 7 divisions, division 1 being the release location and upland area, division 2 being the point of entry into unnamed creek, division 3 being half way between the point of entry and the edge of Forest Service land, division 4 going from the Forest Service boundary through private property to the confluence with Franks Creek, division 5 goes down to an earthen berm (overflow dam), division 6 goes down to the Franks Creek Road crossing, and division 7 goes down to the Little Missouri River.
