Marwell Study Area: background
Background: In the early 1940's, Standard Oil of California constructed a refinery near what is now the Marwell Tar Pit to refine crude oil piped from Norman Wells, NWT. The Refinery operated during 1944 and 1945. It was then shut down and sold. The Refinery and all its contents was purchased by Imperial Oil Ltd., who then dismantled the refinery and moved it to Leduc Alberta. When it was shut down, the hydrocarbon waste was left in place when the dismantling was underway.
In 1958, a man walking through the Marwell Tar Pit became trapped in the semi-liquid tars and died of exposure. The coroner’s jury ‘strongly recommend that the oil pool, which has proven to be a hazard to life, be removed by whatever means necessary as soon as possible.’ Following this death, the Marwell Tar Pit was fenced. There was some dispute about who was responsible for this hazard. More extensive commercial development occurred along both sides of Mountain View Drive starting during this period. The South Access Road was re-routed and paved and Marwell creek was confined to storm sewers during these times.
In 1989, Environment Canada staff conducted a site investigation and collected water and soil samples from the pit and adjacent creek. The report found," Contamination from the tar pit was migrating in the direction of the creek, which flows into the Yukon River, but had not yet reached the creek. Soil in and near the pit was contaminated with a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons." It was noted that “oil and grease” are considered a deleterious substance under the Fisheries Act and that the Marwell Tarp Pit should be cleaned up in order to prevent the creek and groundwater from becoming contaminated.
For the past 20 years or so, a number of developments has occurred on the upper reaches of Marwell Creek. The Canada Games Center was constructed, The City of Whitehorse dumped snow and gravel from winter snow clearing activities into a gully the flows into Marwell Creek. This has been accumulating through out this time span along with 10% salt that has been mixed with the gravel when it is spread on roads. This salt is dissolved and washed into Marwell creek. The escarpment along the study area has shown a number areas of soil instability, with slump occurring in at least two occasions.
THE STUDY AREA
Background: In the early 1940's, Standard Oil of California constructed a refinery near what is now the Marwell Tar Pit to refine crude oil piped from Norman Wells, NWT. The Refinery operated during 1944 and 1945. It was then shut down and sold. The Refinery and all its contents was purchased by Imperial Oil Ltd., who then dismantled the refinery and moved it to Leduc Alberta. When it was shut down, the hydrocarbon waste was left in place when the dismantling was underway.
In 1958, a man walking through the Marwell Tar Pit became trapped in the semi-liquid tars and died of exposure. The coroner’s jury ‘strongly recommend that the oil pool, which has proven to be a hazard to life, be removed by whatever means necessary as soon as possible.’ Following this death, the Marwell Tar Pit was fenced. There was some dispute about who was responsible for this hazard. More extensive commercial development occurred along both sides of Mountain View Drive starting during this period. The South Access Road was re-routed and paved and Marwell creek was confined to storm sewers during these times.
In 1989, Environment Canada staff conducted a site investigation and collected water and soil samples from the pit and adjacent creek. The report found," Contamination from the tar pit was migrating in the direction of the creek, which flows into the Yukon River, but had not yet reached the creek. Soil in and near the pit was contaminated with a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons." It was noted that “oil and grease” are considered a deleterious substance under the Fisheries Act and that the Marwell Tarp Pit should be cleaned up in order to prevent the creek and groundwater from becoming contaminated.
For the past 20 years or so, a number of developments has occurred on the upper reaches of Marwell Creek. The Canada Games Center was constructed, The City of Whitehorse dumped snow and gravel from winter snow clearing activities into a gully the flows into Marwell Creek. This has been accumulating through out this time span along with 10% salt that has been mixed with the gravel when it is spread on roads. This salt is dissolved and washed into Marwell creek. The escarpment along the study area has shown a number areas of soil instability, with slump occurring in at least two occasions.
THE STUDY AREA
Studies:
Studies on Marwell creek: The salt addition form winter snow drop,
Studies on hydrocarbon impacts on the creek
Studies on the escarpment, stability and historical artifacts.
Studies on Marwell creek: The salt addition form winter snow drop,
Studies on hydrocarbon impacts on the creek
Studies on the escarpment, stability and historical artifacts.