Creek that drains into Congaree River turns red after fuel spill in downtown Columbia

A fuel spill in downtown Columbia turned a creek that drains into the Congaree River bright red Friday, sending the odor of petroleum wafting through a park and past a riverside observation deck.

Cleanup crews were working to contain the spill before any fuel reached the Congaree. About 800 gallons polluted the unnamed creek that winds through Memorial Park and past the Gervais Street bridge.

Department of Health and Environmental Control officials were at both Memorial Park in the Vista, below Finlay Park, and at the observation deck below the Gervais Street bridge near the Congaree on Friday afternoon.

It was not known if any of the fuel had tainted the river., but Congaree Riverkeeper Bill Stangler said preliminary cleanup work appeared to have prevented that.

Stangler said DHEC officials he spoke with told him the spill originated at the Strom Thurmond federal building, which sits on a hill above the river. The fuel that spilled was diesel, Stangler said. Preliminary information he’s received says the diesel leaked from a storage tank, Stangler said.

“We see chemical spills and fuel spills once in a while, but they are not the most common type,’’ Stangler said. “This is pretty sizable. You can see the impact over several miles of the city.’’

DHEC officials on the scene would not comment and, in a later statement, the agency did not say whether there was any danger to the Congaree River.

But the statement from agency spokesman Ron Aiken said approximately 800 gallons spilled onto the ground and into a storm drain because of “equipment failure.’’ Aiken’s statement did not elaborate on what equipment had failed.

Agency spokeswoman Laura Renwick said the spill came from a federal building, but she did not identify which one.

Aiken’s statement said DHEC learned about the petroleum release into a creek in Memorial Park at 700 Hampton Street, prompting the agency and the Columbia Fire Department to respond.

On Friday afternoon, the creek at Memorial Park was flowing dark red, and parts of the creek near the river were brighter red. The odor of a petroleum substance was strong at both locations.

It appeared that someone had placed barriers in the creek in an attempt to prevent the spill from getting into the river.

Traci Yodice, a West Columbia resident who was strolling a boardwalk near the Congaree River, said it was hard not to realize something was amiss in the creek.

“That is strong,’’ Yodice said, describing the petroleum odor. “We noticed it. It was like some kind of oil. ‘’

This has been updated from an earlier version with official comments from DHEC and more information from the Congaree Riverkeeper.

This story was originally published December 3, 2021 at 3:19 PM.