This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
If you can hook 'em, you can eat the fish from Willard Bay without worrying they might be contaminated from the March 18 Chevron petroleum pipeline leak.
So says the Utah Division of Water Quality and the state Department of Health. They announced Wednesday their tests of 15 fish showed no signs of the 21,000 gallons of diesel fuel that seeped from a split seam in a 6-foot section of the Salt Lake City-to-Spokane pipeline.
Walt Baker, director of the state water quality agency, said no diesel was detected in fish that were analyzed, five samples each of wipers, catfish and gizzard shad.
"This indicates that fish from the reservoir are safe to eat," he said in a news release. "We hope this information helps people go out and enjoy their favorite activities this holiday weekend."
The Willard Bay State Park's North Marina picnic areas, campground and beaches have been closed for more than two months, as cleanup crews have used the parking lot as a staging area for mopping up the leaked diesel. However, facilities at the South Marina remain open.
Judy Fahys