A blockage in a sewer line caused overflow to contaminate Clark Creek Thursday morning, the city of Salem said in a news release.
A sanitary sewer overflow was reported in the creek at about 9:45 a.m. at 740 Wild Wind Drive SE, according to the release.
City utility crews were in the process of removing the blockage.
Signs were posted around the creek warning people to avoid contact with the water due to “potentially high levels of bacteria,” the release said. The city will continue taking water quality samples until the bacteria levels return to normal.
Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at ifunk@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @isabeldfunk
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Clark Creek contaminated by sewer overflow in Salem, Oregon