CURTISS, Wis. (AP) -- Crews have recovered thousands of gallons of crude oil that leaked in a farm field from an underground pipeline in Clark County.

Enbridge Energy says a four-foot crack in a pipeline caused an estimated 52,500 gallons of oil to spill. Enbridge spokeswoman Denise Hamsher says crews have recovered the majority of the crude oil.

Department of Natural Resources spokesman Dave Weitz says the oil penetrated about an inch into the ground. Weitz says the frozen ground helped minimize damage.

The spill comes just two weeks after an environmental group went to court to block plans for another, larger pipeline along the same route in Wisconsin.

Midwest Environmental Advocates in Madison is suing the DNR, challenging its decision to allow Enbridge Energy to install another pipeline along the same right of way through Wisconsin.

The Dane County lawsuit contends the DNR failed to adequately address the risk of pipeline corrosion and rupture and properly review the effect the construction would have on wetlands and riverways.