July 1, 2021 – The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD), working in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has lifted the public health advisory for the Portage Canal following the recent fuel spill in Houghton County.
The City of Houghton waterfront including the Kestner Waterfront Park Beach area has been reopened for swimming and other water recreation. Fuel sheen in this area has dissipated, surface water samples collected at the beach determined that the water is safe for swimming, and the sand at the beach has been removed and replaced.
Recent aerial drone footage has observed no widespread fuel sheen on the Portage Canal; therefore, the public advisory has been lifted. There may be isolated pockets of sheen along the shoreline of the canal. The public should avoid all contact with the sheen. Direct exposure of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract to fuel sheen can cause tissue injury and irritation; therefore, the public should wash skin with soap and water after contact. All areas on the Portage Canal are now open to body contact swimming as long as no visible fuel sheen is present.
According to BeachGuard, all beaches in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are open going into the 4th of July weekend. Beach closures and swimming advisories for the entire state can be viewed on BeachGuard at www.egle.state.mi.us/beach.
June 25, 2021 – WUPHD working in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and the Department of Health and Human Services has updated the public health advisory for the Portage Canal following the recent fuel spill in the City of Hancock. The Portage Canal may reopen for recreational boating, fishing, and body contact swimming as long as the public avoids any areas with visible fuel sheen. Sheen can be described as a rainbow-like discoloration on the surface of the water. Sheen location may quickly change along with shifts in wind and weather.
WUPHD advises that direct exposure of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract to fuel sheen can cause tissue injury and irritation; therefore, the public, including pets, should avoid swimming and recreation in these areas. All other areas on the Portage Canal may reopen to body contact as long as no visible fuel sheen is present. Updates will be issued as additional information becomes available.
Original Post: June 24, 2021 – The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD), working in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), is issuing a public health advisory for the Portage Canal near Houghton/Hancock due to a fuel spill that discharged to Portage Canal in Houghton County.
On June 24, a fuel tanker truck overturned on U.S. Hwy-41, Santori’s Corner, Hancock, MI, and released gasoline fuel to the ground surface. Fuel discharged to a storm drain that outlets to the Portage Canal. The entire Portage Canal, including public access beaches and boat launches are temporarily closed for recreational boating and body contact. The primary concern for public safety is exposure to benzene due to inhalation and skin contact.
Affected residents near the spill site are being temporarily evacuated by emergency personnel due to safety concerns. The public is encouraged to avoid the affected area at the spill site and to avoid the Portage Canal for any recreational use of the water such as boating or swimming. People and pets should avoid direct body contact and avoid swallowing lake water in this vicinity, especially if fuel is visible on the water surface. Do not use surface water for any drinking water purposes. If you smell fuel, move away from the area.
This is an ongoing emergency situation. Updates will be issued as additional information becomes available.