Environment
Animas River fouled by 1 million gallons of contaminated mine water
EPA accidently releases water; Durango residents warned to cut back on water use as health officials evaluate river
By Jesse Paul and Bruce Finley
The Denver Post
Posted: 08/06/2015 11:27:26 AM MDT | Updated: about 8 hours ago
DURANGO — A spill that sent 1 million gallons of wastewater from an abandoned mine into the Animas River, turning the river orange, set off warnings Thursday that contaminants threaten water quality for those downstream.
The Environmental Protection Agency confirmed it triggered the spill while using heavy machinery to investigate pollutants at the Gold King Mine, north of Silverton.
Health and environmental officials are evaluating the river as it flows through San Juan and La Plata counties. They said the wastewater contained zinc, iron, copper and other heavy metals, prompting the EPA to warn agricultural users to shut off water intakes along the river and law officials to close the river to recreational users.
People kayak in the Animas River near Durango on Thursday in water colored from a mine waste spill. (
Jerry McBride, The Durango Herald)
"There's nothing that can be done to stop the flow of the river," said Joe Lewandowski, a spokesman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. "We can only wait until the flows slow down. We had a big heavy spring (of rain) here."
Lewandowski said the EPA is testing to determine the river's metal levels and results should be returned by mid-Friday.
Animas River fouled by 1 million gallons of contaminated mine water - The Denver Post