Chuckinra wrote:
I grew up in Eastern Oklahoma in the 60's. It was not unusual to come across an abandoned well site. There was a good chance there would be a small pond there that had a foot or so of "junk" in it that looked like axle grease. It was quite common to see areas that salt water had flowed through for several years, that were just barren. Nothing grew in them. The scars are still there. 
http://www.uark.edu/misc/xtimber/problems/index.html
Take a look at the last four photos on this page as an example.

  

Scott Branyan
Ozark Fly Flinger
www.flyflinger.com