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MONTEZUMA CREEK, Utah (AP) — Utah environment officials say a rain-triggered rock slide is believed to have ruptured an oil well pipeline in southeast Utah last week, sending crude oil into the San Juan River.
Utah Department of Environmental Quality report says the spill was detected Thursday near the community of Montezuma Creek in San Juan County.
Officials believe the oil traveled almost two miles through a wash and into the San Juan River, where an oil sheen was reported.
The DEQ estimates three to five barrels of oil leaked from the pipeline.
The leak has since been stopped and crews have put absorbent material and oil booms in the water to contain the oil.
Utah Division of Water Quality director Walt Baker told The Salt Lake Tribune that officials are testing water samples from the river.
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