Beville Park will be closed until sometime Wednesday early afternoon or evening after a contaminant was discovered in a stream at the park on Tuesday morning.
Just before 9:00 Tuesday morning, a jogger in the park observed a sheen on the water in a stream that runs between the parking lot and girls softball fields. The Leitchfield Fire Department responded and confirmed the presence of an oil-like substance in the stream.
The department constructed three “booms” to serve as filters at different points in the stream. LFD and Leitchfield Utilities workers also dug an underflow, which serves as a pond-like feature where the contaminant is being pumped.
Grayson County Emergency Management Director Tony Willen arrived shortly after LFD personnel. He said a Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Emergency Response Team has been summoned to the scene, as well as officials with the Kentucky Division of Water.
According to Willen, while investigating the origin of the contaminant, it was discovered that someone dumped the material into the median of the Western Kentucky Parkway at the 108 mile marker, with the contaminant running into the mouth of the stream. It remains unclear exactly what type of substance is contaminating the creek.
At about 3:00 Tuesday afternoon, authorities decided to close the park for the next 24 hours as officials work to clear the stream and perform cleanup duties.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
