Abstract |
Two separate oil spills occurred on the Minnesota River during the winter of 1962-63, one of petroleum oil and the second of soybean oil. During the spring ice breakup, these oils discharged to the Mississippi River at St. Paul, Minnesota, and dispersed into several off-channel lakes between St. Paul, Minnesota, and Alma, Wisconsin, and resulted in the death of several thousand wild ducks. Some of the remedial activities included removal of oil from the water surface, construction of floating booms to divert oil from off-channel waters, and assistance in rescue of immobilized ducks and other wildlife. The object of this report is to present highlights of events and results of activities and studies conducted during the cleanup. |