Oil spill forces closure of University Lake Park

A popular Anchorage off-leash dog park was closed Wednesday because an oil spill reported last week in its lake was growing, officials with the city and the state Department of Environmental Conservation said.

Portions of University Lake were blocked off with caution tape last week and signs urged dog owners to keep their pets out of the water where there was an oil sheen or smell.

On Wednesday afternoon, a worker with contractor US Ecology, which performs hazardous waste disposal, was using a vacuum truck on the south side of the lake, near where water flows in. Others were cordoning off park trails. Workers were also deploying boom from a small inflatable boat. There was a noticeable odor in the area.

The spill was first reported June 21, estimated at 20 gallons, and cleanup efforts began the next day, said Kelly Rawalt, a public information officer with DEC.

Officials are still searching for the source of oil that led to the spill, Rawalt said, but the oil made its way to a device in a drainage system that separates oil from runoff water before the water is discharged into the lake. The device was overflowing because of the frequent rain in recent weeks and malfunctioned — expelling the oil into the lake instead of taking it out, she said.

The municipality emptied the device once the spill was discovered, Rawalt said.

Employees from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and the municipality are visiting the site daily to monitor the spill, according to Rawalt.

Booms were deployed last week, which help absorb and contain oil, Rawalt said. The spill initially appeared to be contained, but Rawalt said Wednesday the sheen had grown, prompting the city to close the park.

Ellen Devine with Anchorage Parks and Recreation said the city does not have an estimate for when the park will be reopened.

In addition to deploying additional booms Wednesday, crews began removing vegetation that had oil on it, Rawalt said. The Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were using hazing methods to prevent wildlife from going near the area, Rawalt said.

Anyone who sees wildlife that may be affected by the oil is asked to call 907-269-3063. Rawalt said one report made by Wednesday indicated some ducks may have been affected.

Daily News photojournalist Marc Lester contributed.