Farm equipment accident results in chemicals spilled into western North Dakota river

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says they have responded to a reported chemical spill in the Cannonball River, near New England, on Wednesday, Sept. 3. New England is about 25 miles south of Dickinson.

According to NDDEQ, the spill happened due to a farm implement accident which released an unknown amount of diesel as well as around 200 gallons of chemicals into the river. The operator of the farm equipment was not injured.

Officials say Hettinger County Emergency Management deployed a boom to contain the spill and NDDEQ personnel have gone to the site to collect water samples.

The public is being asked to avoid recreational activities within a one-mile radius – both upstream and downstream – from the site of the spill.

NDDEQ is also discouraging the consumption of fish caught in the affected area until further notice.

NDDEQ will continue to monitor and work with the responsible party on cleaning up the site. Authorities will provide updates to the public once water sample results confirm the area is safe.