Maumee River Mystery Spill; Toledo, OH

Toledo, OH | 2005-Oct-17

Initial Notification: The SSC was contacted Oct 17 at 1100 am concerning an mystery slick on the Maumee River In Toledo, Ohio. The oil appeared to be waste oil and was seen floating between the Martin Luther King Bridge and the I 280 Bridge. The volume was estimated to be between 500 - 5000 gallons. Early reports indicated no shoreline or wildlife impacts, although there were reports of oiled vessels. The oil did not match any vessels in the area during the spill. A sewer outfall on the eastern shore near the MLK bridge was indicated as a possible source. An overflight showed heavy sheens and free product from the MLK bridge to the CSX railroad bridge. Scattered pockets of oil were seen on both banks. Shoreline impacts seem to be mostly in areas of riprap. A marina south of the MLK bridge on the east bank acted as a natural collection point. There were no known impacts to wildlife. A local clean up contractor recovered oil along an area of riprap.