A pipeline break at a local coal mine has sent gallons of slurry into an Ohio Valley creek. A portion of Captina Creek in Belmont County has turned black from the slurry spill. Slurry is a watery mixture of coal and rock particles.

Representatives with the American Energy Corporation say the leak at their Century Mine happened Tuesday. They say part of the slurry pipe deteriorated, but the line was immediately repaired.

Now, crews are in the process of cleaning up. Environmental cleanup crews have been at the scene non-stop since the spill.

"We do have eight vacuum trucks there now on the scene cleaning it up," said Public Relations Coordinator Barbara Rush.

Meantime, mine leaders say the problem looks much worse than it is. Crews contained the spill in an area away from local homes, and all water samples downstream are coming back clean.

"We are monitoring the water and testing it frequently to make sure for the safety of people in the area," said Rush.

Work crews should have Captina Creek back to normal sometime this weekend.

Mine leaders say they're working closely with the EPA and Department of Natural Resources to make sure the creek is completely safe.

Jill Del Greco, NEWS9