Oil not found at Morrow Lake

GALESBURG, Mich. (WOOD) - At an afternoon press conference, an official with the Environmental Protection Agency said no oil has been found at Morrow Lake.

Ralph Dollhopf with the EPA said tests have not found any of the oil spilled from a pipeline at the site called the point of no return - the last place the oil could be stopped before flowing into Lake Michigan.

=====

Despite earlier reports an oil slick had gotten past Kalamazoo County's Morrow Lake Dam, there is some question whether the leak from an Enbridge pipeline has actually made it that far.

About a mile east of Morrow Lake, Enbridge set up a major collection point for the oil at River Oaks Park. Absorbent white booms are visible, and they're different from what's been seen previously.

These booms don't just block the oil, they absorb it.

The concern is if the oil gets past this point, it's a straight shot through Allegan County and into Lake Michigan.

Kalamazoo County Emergency Management officials told 24 Hour News 8 they're getting conflicting reports on just how far the oil has been spotted. A representative from the governor's office flew over the area Wednesday night and reported a sheen on the other side of the dam.

But an employee with the Environmental Protection Agency on the same flight said he's not convinced what he saw was an oil slick.

Just after noon, Lt. Paul Baker of the Kalamazoo County Emergency Management told 24 Hour News 8 there is no evidence oil has entered Morrow Lake or has gone below the dam.

The EPA tested the water, Baker said, and found no signs of oil. He added the governor's representative may have seen an organic compound that is common and safe.

Officials will take another flight over the area later Thursday afternoon.

Enbridge workers told 24 Hour News 8 they're collecting typical river debris at this spot, but no oil.

In the past 24-48 hours, efforts at collecting and controlling the spill have increased dramatically. Kalamazoo County Emergency Management officials have not yet made an announcement on the current progress of the oil.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow all the developments in this story.

Pictures and this YouTube video comes from the State of Michigan: