PORTAGE, Ind. (AP) — Some beaches are closed along Lake Michigan in northwestern Indiana after authorities say a chemical spill into the Little Calumet River caused fish to die in the area.
The National Park Service announced Thursday it closed the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk beach areas at Indiana Dunes National Park as well as waters out to 300 feet (91 meters).
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management says a steel plant belonging to ArcelorMittal released excess amounts of cyanide and ammonia-nitrogen into the river's east branch, causing a fish kill noticed this week. The company says in a statement it's investigating.
The city of Ogden Dunes also closed its beach. Authorities say Ogden Dunes' drinking water wasn't affected, but the community's filtration facility restricted the intake of water as a precaution.
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