LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As of Thursday, one of the barges pinned at the McAlpine Dam has been safely removed after several barges got loose on the Ohio River, including one carrying methanol.
What You Need To Know
- A total of 10 barges got loose early Tuesday on the river near Louisville, and 3 remain pinned against the McAlpine Locks and Dam early Wednesday
- One of those barges was carrying 1,400 tons of methanol and was partially submerged
- In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said one stuck barge had been freed
- Louisville Metro Emergency Services said they are continuing to monitoring air and water, but "there is zero evidence of a tank breach or any leaks”
A total of 10 barges got loose early Tuesday on the river near Louisville, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet said. Most were recovered, but the U.S Army Corp of Engineers said three were pinned against the McAlpine Locks and Dam and the locks are closed to traffic until the barges are stabilized.
One of those barges was carrying 1,400 tons of methanol and was partially submerged, Kentucky officials said. It remains pinned at the dam along with a second barge containing corn.
Late Thursday, March 30, Louisville Metro Emergency Services announced mulitple water samples taken from the McAlpine incident have been analyzed and it shows no detection of methanol.
Additionally, water monitoring from CTEH (Center for Toxicology & Environmental Health LLC) and EnviroScience independent environmental specialists also show no detection of methanol in the surrounding Ohio River water. The specialists took the first sample Wednesday morning three miles downriver from the McAlpine Dam and then took an additional four samples at half-mile intervals closer to the dam for a total of five samples.
Over 141 air quality samples have been taken. All tests continue to show no detections of methanol. Air and water quality will be tested until the situation is fully resolved.
Methanol, or methyl alcohol, is a colorless liquid with a strong odor. The Environmental Protection Agency says it primarily used as an industrial solvent for inks, resins, adhesives and dyes. Methanol is also used as an antifreeze in radiators, an ingredient of gasoline, and as fuel for picnic stoves.
Ingestion of methanol can cause a range of adverse effects, including headaches, amnesia and seizures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a poisonous substance that can be absorbed through the eyes, skin, lungs, and digestive system. Methanol is dissolves quickly in water and evaporates when exposed to air. As of 10 a.m., the methanol contained in the barge is not posing a risk.
The other barges are carrying corn.
Kathleen Speicher, with the Louisville Water Company, confirms to Spectrum News 1, there is no concern over water quality in the company’s service area. The McAlpine Locks and Dam are below all Louisville Water intakes. As mentioned in the social media post from the EEC, the nearest water intake system is Henderson, Kentucky.
The Corps said it was working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, navigation industry and marine surveyors on recovery efforts. The accident happened at 2 a.m. Tuesday, March 28. No one was hurt, and all personnel were accounted for.
The incident comes just weeks after the catastrophic trail derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, leaking chemicals into the waters of the Ohio River, causing many Kentucky residents to be concerned about water safety.
A website has been created for community members to stay up to date on the progress being made.
Groups and officials currently on the ground include:
- U.S. Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley
- Louisville Metro Emergency Management Agency
- Kentucky Emergency Management / Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- CTEH environmental specialists
- Ingram Barge Company
- Salvage and recovery experts