An environmental concern is unfolding at R.D. Bailey Lake, where a mineral oil spill, initially contained, has now spread, raising questions about the effectiveness of current cleanup strategies.
In a developing situation in southern West Virginia, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actively engaged in efforts to halt the flow of mineral oil that originated from an Appalachain Power substation. This spill, which first occurred on Clear Fork in Wyoming County on January 29th, has unfortunately made its way into the Guyandotte River and is now approaching the R.D. Bailey Lake.
Initially, cleanup teams worked diligently to contain the incident. They deployed containment booms and utilized absorbent pads to capture the oil. At the time, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection had indicated that the spill was successfully contained. However, recent events have presented new challenges.
But here's where it gets complicated: Increased stream flow and damage to the original containment booms allowed the oil to escape its initial confines and travel downstream. This has led to the current situation where the oil is now nearing R.D. Bailey Lake.
Brian Morgan, the Reserve Manager for R.D. Bailey Lake, shared his observations, stating, “I wouldn’t say it’s covered in oil, there’s a sheen and the furthest down in the lake would be past a place that we call Cup Creek.” He noted that this sheen became noticeable around the third week in February. Morgan explained that a combination of factors, including snow and ice followed by a warming period, along with water movement, effectively flushed the oil into the lake.
As a precautionary measure, the lake has been temporarily closed to boat traffic. Morgan elaborated on this decision: “We don’t want fishermen and boaters having to interact with those boom systems and possibly dragging contamination further out on the lake and into places its not already been exposed too.” This aims to prevent further spread and potential contamination.
The current hope is to have the oil cleanup completed by the beginning of April. The Corps of Engineers acknowledged the dynamic nature of the situation in a press release: “Because wind, temperature, and water movement continually shift, equipment is being repositioned and adjusted to maintain effectiveness. Residents may continue to see surface sheen during cleanup operations. This is expected, as mineral oil floats and can separate into thin layers across the water surface.”
And this is the part most people miss: While containment booms were not initially installed directly on the lake, they are now being monitored daily, with absorbent pads being replaced as needed. Additionally, protective booms have been strategically placed around the dam’s intake structure. Water is being released from deep below the surface at the dam to help manage the situation.
The material released is described as a highly refined, PCB-free mineral oil, commonly used for cooling electrical transformers and other equipment. Environmental crews are remaining on-site to continue recovery operations, with the goal of minimizing impacts on the waterways and local wildlife. The WVDEP is actively overseeing the cleanup and conducting sampling throughout the watershed and the lake to track progress.
The lake’s boat ramps will remain closed to the public as cleanup efforts continue. Updates will be provided as conditions change. If you happen to spot any oil, you are encouraged to report sightings to apcocleanup@aep.com.
Now, let's consider this: While the oil is described as PCB-free, the very presence of a sheen on a recreational lake raises concerns for many. Is the current approach sufficient to guarantee the complete ecological recovery of R.D. Bailey Lake? What are your thoughts on the challenges of managing such spills in natural waterways? Share your opinions in the comments below!
