A Chevron underground pipeline in Salt Lake City reportedly ruptured June 11, leaking gallons crude oil into Salt Lake City’s Creek before being controlled the next day. The pipeline broke at about 10 a.m. and city officials were alerted early the following day. The cause of the leak is still a mystery. The Salt Lake Valley Health Department said the oil is flowing into the Jordan River in two areas on the Salt Lake City's west side.

Chevron crews and Salt Lake City officials have been working since Saturday to stop the oil spill. The leak is estimated about five gallons a minute. As said by officials, drinking water for residents has not been affected. Residents have also been advised to stay away from the affected area so clean up crews can effectively manage the leak.

Chevron reportedly has a pipeline bringing crude oil in from western Colorado and Eastern Utah into the Salt Lake Valley. The pipeline runs down Emigration Canyon and goes west over Beck Street to the company refinery. The crude blackened the East-side creek and coated many migratory birds on the Red Butte Creek and a pond at Liberty Park.

"A few birds have died" spokesman Jason Olsen said.

"Most of the birds were Canada geese; although some ducks used it as a place to rest, eat and breed" He added.

Meanwhile, Chevron has pledged to clean up the affected areas. A Chevron vacuum truck is on site and pumping from the ponds, transporting the crude to the local Chevron refinery, 2351 N. 1100 W., Salt Lake City.

“The spill first was reported about 6:45 a.m. by staff at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center… About 50 gallons of oil a minute were flowing from the pipeline when responders arrived …. A nearby construction crew was flagged down to help build makeshift dams and dikes near the source, reducing the flow to 20 to 25 gallons a minute by midmorning, said the Salt Lake City Fire Department spokesman, Mr. Scott Freitag.

The Fire Department notified Chevron of the spill early on Saturday. By then, oil had reached Liberty Park's pond, drenching birds. At least 150 birds were reported rescued from the pond and taken to a nearby Zoo to be cleaned.

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, assuring the everyone said: “We will get to the bottom of how this happened … we will address necessary measures to make sure the community continues to be protected in the future." U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, said he spoke by telephone with the president of Chevron Pipe Line Company Becky Roberts on Sunday.

Matheson said Roberts told him that until company officials dig up the broken section of pipe, the company can't be sure what caused the leak.