Part of the south branch of the Chicago River was closed off by the Coast Guard Thursday due to a “reported oil discharge,” officials said.
Representatives from the Coast Guards’ Marine Safety Unit Chicago and the Environmental Protection Agency met near the stretch of river known as Bubbly Creek after being notified of the oil which came from an unknown source, officials said. Bubbly Creek runs south from the south branch of the river to Pershing Road, east of Ashland Avenue.
“A concentration of oil has also been identified on the south branch of the Chicago River between Ashland Avenue and Pulaski Road,” the Coast Guard said in a statement. “The Coast Guard has established a safety zone, closing this section of the waterway to all people and vessels.”
The safety zone will not affect the south branch of the Chicago River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, or the associated turning basin, officials said.
Anyone observing additional oil should contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
