Temporary erosion control devices are working on the Bad River in northern Wisconsin, protecting the riverbank at the Meander
April 22, 2026
Enbridge team checks temporary erosion control devices on the bank of the Bad River at what is known as the Meander near Line 5.
Line 5 continues to operate safely
Visual inspections confirm that hundreds of temporary log jack erosion control devices installed on the bank of the Bad River at the Meander are working to protect the riverbank and Line 5 continues to operate safely.
Enbridge and the Bad River Band collaboratively developed and executed the log jack project in late 2025 to protect the Meander during flooding. Enbridge has requested that the log jacks remain in place while Line 5 operates on the Bad River Reservation. Pipeline regulators support this position. To date the Band has not approved Enbridge’s request.
While water levels were elevated in April, conditions on the Bad River have not approached thresholds detailed in the federal court order that would trigger a temporary shutdown of Line 5. We continuously monitor the pipeline and conditions on the Bad River 24/7 using remote cameras, pipeline sensors, and continuous oversight from our control center. These layered systems provide real-time information about weather, river and pipeline conditions.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is aware of the safety plans in place, including court- approved thresholds and procedures to temporarily shut down the pipeline if warranted. PHMSA—the sole federal pipeline safety regulator—has audited Line 5 multiple times and has raised no safety concerns at this location.
Line 5 is a critical energy artery for the Midwest and Great Lakes region, supplying fuel and propane relied on by millions of people. The safety of the public and the environment is Enbridge’s highest priority.
