'Significant Efforts' Underway After Pipeline Leaks Diesel Fuel Near Cottonwood

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Containment efforts are underway after a pipeline leaked diesel fuel near Cottonwood Wednesday evening.

At 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, operators at Magellan's pipeline control center say they observed a pressure drop associated with their 8-inch refined products pipeline near Cottonwood.

Representatives with Magellan said they then closed valves on the system.

Officials say local emergency responders in Cottonwood confirmed that it was a pipeline release, and that the line containing diesel fuel was not active at the time of the incident. The fuel was found to be leaking from a "small hole" in the pipeline and was stopped at around 10:30 p.m.

The fuel entered a drainage ditch, and officials say "significant efforts" are underway to prevent it from entering lake waters in the area.

"Our best efforts to contain the fuel in the 10-mile drainage ditch are underway and we are working with regulatory authorities to carefully monitor containment status," Magellan representatives said.

Magellan estimates a total of 200 barrels, or 8,400 gallons, of diesel spilled.

A section of Highway 18 is temporarily closed to allow necessary equipment in and out of the area. There was one minor injury as part of the clean-up effort.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.