Eakly, OK — State regulators say a saltwater purge into Five Mile Creek is the likely cause of 25 cattle deaths reported earlier this month in Caddo County. Investigators with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission traced highly saline water to a site about two miles upstream from the affected pasture and ordered nearby oil and gas operations to shut in on September 16.
OCC field tests found total dissolved solids above 130,000 parts per million at the purge site. In response, crews cut a diversion trench to keep the flow out of the creek and began continuous pumping and haul-off for disposal. Officials say contamination levels in the creek have since declined.
The OCC also collected samples from Five Mile Creek, Cobb Creek, Fort Cobb Lake, and private water wells along the creek corridor. Fort Cobb Reservoir supplies drinking water to Chickasha and Anadarko. According to the OCC, current readings indicate Five Mile Creek, Cobb Creek, and Fort Cobb Lake are no longer affected. U.S. Water Services Corp., which operates Chickasha’s plant, reported ongoing four-times-daily testing with no impacts to treated water.
Regulators said a commercial saltwater disposal well operated by Nject Disposal LLC was directed to shut in while the investigation proceeds. The well was sealed and red-tagged on September 19. Pumping and removal of trapped saltwater from two deep pools in the creek is continuing until levels return to permissible limits.
Media reports have linked the incident to the Pearcy saltwater disposal well operated by Nject. The OCC has not confirmed a definitive source. An agency update is expected on October 6.
Rancher Mike Loula of Colony reported losing 23 cows and two calves after the herd accessed the creek. Necropsies were initiated on two animals.
The Department of Environmental Quality is assisting the OCC. Neighbors along the creek have been advised to keep livestock away from surface water until regulators declare the purge fully stopped and cleanup complete.
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