Indiana Agencies Contain Oil Spill on East Fork White River

Jackson County, IN – Emergency response teams from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) responded to an oil spill on the East Fork White River on the evening of September 6, 2026. Responders identified a dark oil sheen extending approximately five miles along the waterway. Cleanup efforts were conducted in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Jackson County Emergency Management agency, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and private industry partners.

Upon investigating, crews traced the source of the contamination to an above-ground storage tank that had been dumped in a nearby wooded area. The tank was leaking oil directly into the tributary and the river. To mitigate environmental damage, responders deployed absorbent booms to contain and collect the oil. The containment efforts were documented by field personnel working on the river.

IDEM Emergency Response teams will continue to monitor the site and collaborate with the responsible party to ensure full cleanup of the area. The incident remains a focal point for state and local officials dedicated to protecting the East Fork White River and the surrounding environment from further contamination.

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