Reason for Antelope Creek water turning red, now revealed
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The water flowing through Antelope Creek was a normal color on Wednesday night, but just a few days earlier it looked more like tomato soup, according to Lincoln resident Mike James.
James frequents the trail near Antelope creek during walks with his wife but noticed the startling color on Saturday.
“This is not natural. Somebody put this here,” were his first thoughts when laying eyes on the red water.
James then showed Channel 8 the exact point where the water changed color, but, “You go down to the next cross street at Foxtail, the water is perfectly clear,” he said.
“So I could tell this is a specific spot of where somebody’s introducing something into this creek that I don’t know,” said James, adding “Somebody’s got some explaining to do.”
The area is located at 86th and Old Cheney Road.
Mike reported what he saw to the City of Lincoln by using their UpLnk app; which can be used to report non-emergency issues.
“I had the UpLnk app right on my phone, so it’s super easy to just snap the pictures and just type it in because I’ve done it for other things like graffiti or potholes,” said James.
The Lincoln Lancaster Health Department came out to investigate shortly after and sent Channel 8 the following statement.
“Thanks for your inquiry. Earlier this week, the Health Department sent staff to investigate reported discoloration and odor in Antelope Creek near S. 88th St. and Old Cheney. The source of the discharge was identified as wastewater from hydrostatic testing of a natural gas pipeline owned by Black Hills Energy. Black Hills Energy has authorization from the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (NDWEE) under a permit for this type of discharge. The Health Department is coordinating with Black Hills Energy and NWDEE regarding the discharge and will continue to follow up as appropriate.”
Channel 8 also spoke with a Black Hills Energy spokesperson who said the situation came about due to a new testing method they used to check the pipes in that area.
They said the water that was pushed through the pipes carried with it sediments that turned the creek water red.
Black Hills also confirmed that the water- which is not used for human consumption- is safe for animals and fish, but they have now made changes to the way the water from those tests are discharged.
James says he’s grateful for the clarity.
“I mean, that’s what we pay him to do. That’s what our tax dollars are for,” he said.
Black Hills says they are always happy to help customers understand the many ways they work to keep Lincoln safe.
If you would like to use the UpLNK app to report a non-emergency issue in your area, you can access it here.
