This is a detailed analysis based on the Wikipedia article concerning the 2015 Gold King Mine waste water spill. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

The Animas River Catastrophe

An in-depth analysis of the 2015 environmental disaster, its causes, impacts, and the ensuing governmental and legal responses.

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Event Overview

Date and Location

The 2015 Gold King Mine waste water spill commenced on August 5, 2015, originating from the Gold King Mine situated near Silverton, Colorado. This incident marked a significant environmental event in the region.

Cause of Release

The disaster was triggered by an accidental breach of a tailings dam. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) personnel, in conjunction with contractors from Environmental Restoration LLC, inadvertently caused the release while attempting to drain impounded water near the mine's entrance.[3]

Nature of the Discharge

Approximately three million US gallons (eleven thousand cubic meters) of mine waste water and tailings were released. This discharge contained substantial quantities of heavy metals, including cadmium, lead, arsenic, beryllium, zinc, iron, and copper, along with other toxic elements.[5]

Affected Waterways and Regions

The spill contaminated Cement Creek, a tributary of the Animas River, subsequently impacting the Animas River watershed, the San Juan River, and the broader Colorado River basin. The affected states included Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah, with the Navajo Nation experiencing particularly severe consequences.[6]

Historical Context

Mining Legacy

The region surrounding Silverton was historically reliant on gold mining, with operations ceasing in 1991. The Gold King Mine itself was abandoned in 1923.[12][13]

Pre-existing Environmental Conditions

Prior to the spill, the Upper Animas water basin was already significantly degraded due to acid mine drainage from numerous regional mines, including the Gold King Mine. This contamination had rendered the water devoid of fish and adversely affected other riparian flora and fauna.[12]

EPA's Role and Superfund Opposition

The EPA had previously identified many abandoned mines in Colorado, including Gold King, as sources of acid mine drainage requiring careful management. Although the EPA had the authority to conduct only minor mitigation efforts, they had also considered the mine a potential Superfund site. However, local opposition, driven by concerns that a Superfund designation would negatively impact tourism—the region's primary economic driver—prevented this classification.[15][16]

Mine Operations and The Blowout

Historical Operations

The Gold King Mine was discovered in 1887 by Olaf Nelson. Its adits remained dry for many years due to drainage from the Sunnyside Mine's American Tunnel. However, after the tunnel's sealing in 1996, water began accumulating and discharging from the Gold King Level 7 adit, with contamination levels increasing after the Mogul Mine was sealed in 2003.[17][19]

Prior Mitigation Efforts

By 2009, the Gold King Mine was recognized as a severe acid mine drainage site. The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) plugged the mine portals and installed drainage pipes. However, partial tunnel collapse complicated these efforts, and it was noted that the drainage system might be insufficient to prevent a future blowout.[20]

The Incident Unfolds

In the lead-up to the spill, the EPA planned to excavate the mine entrance to drain accumulated water. Despite discussions with DRMS, the team misjudged the water level and pressure within the mine. On August 5, 2015, as excavation commenced, a spurt of water from a fracture indicated the tunnel was full of pressurized water. This led to the catastrophic failure of the plug, releasing the toxic wastewater torrent into Cement Creek within minutes.[note 1][20]

Procedural Oversight

Critically, the EPA did not undertake direct water level measurement from within the mine before commencing excavation, a standard safety protocol for operating mines since the late 19th century. Had this been done, the true water level and pressure would have been discovered, likely averting the disaster.[20]

Environmental and Social Repercussions

Visual and Immediate Effects

The spill dramatically altered the Animas River's appearance, with one observer describing the water as resembling thick "Tang."[21] The river was closed to recreational activities until August 14, with warnings issued to residents regarding potential contamination of well water and avoidance of contact with river water for both humans and animals.[23]

Water Quality Degradation

By August 10, EPA reports indicated that levels of six key metals, including lead and iron, significantly exceeded permissible limits for domestic water supplies, even 15 miles upstream from Durango.[5] While initial reports found no immediate wildlife die-offs, the long-term effects of heavy metal contamination and altered water chemistry remained a concern.

Geographic Spread and Dilution

The toxic plume progressed downstream, reaching Aztec, New Mexico, by August 7, Farmington, New Mexico, by August 8, and the San Juan River near Shiprock (Navajo Nation) by August 10. It eventually reached Lake Powell on August 14. While sedimentation and dilution were expected to mitigate some immediate effects, the overall long-term impact on the watershed's ecosystem and water quality persisted.[6]

Impact on Navajo Nation

The Navajo Nation declared a state of emergency due to the spill's devastating effects. Farmers and ranchers faced severe disruptions, with irrigation canals closed and concerns raised about crop damage and livestock health. The Nation's EPA conducted its own water testing, leading to continued caution among its residents.[24][43]

Governmental and Agency Actions

Initial Response and Criticism

The EPA acknowledged responsibility for the incident. However, criticism arose regarding a significant delay—up to 24 hours—in notifying state and local authorities and residents about the spill. Internal EPA communications revealed that personnel involved were aware of the potential for a "blowout" risk prior to the event, contradicting initial public statements.[7][36]

State of Emergency Declarations

In response to the escalating crisis, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper declared a disaster on August 8, 2015. This was followed by similar declarations from Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, who also indicated her administration's readiness to pursue legal action against the EPA.[5][40][41]

Remediation and Treatment Efforts

A temporary water treatment plant, constructed by the EPA, commenced operations in October 2015 to address acid mine drainage from the Gold King Mine. However, subsequent reports and allegations suggested that this plant operated at a reduced capacity, allowing significant volumes of untreated water to bypass the system.[44]

Superfund and FEMA Involvement

Local governments in Silverton and San Juan County ultimately accepted Superfund funding for comprehensive mine remediation. Concurrently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied a request from the Navajo Nation for a dedicated disaster-recovery coordinator.[4]

Financial and Economic Ramifications

Navajo Nation Damages

The spill inflicted considerable damage on the Navajo Nation's agricultural sector, affecting crops, home gardens, and livestock. An estimated 2,000 Navajo farmers and ranchers were impacted by the closure of irrigation canals. While some received water deliveries, others faced significant crop losses due to lack of assistance.[53][54]

Compensation Disputes

As of April 2016, the EPA had provided the Navajo Nation with $150,000, which represented only a small fraction of the Nation's estimated incurred costs. Projections by Senator John McCain suggested potential costs for the Navajo Nation could reach $335 million.[54] The EPA and the Navajo Nation continue to negotiate fair compensation for the damages.

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References

References

  1.  SGC "Reclamation", Sunnyside Gold Corporation. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  2.  "EPA: Pollution from mine spill much worse than feared", USA Today, August 10, 2015
  3.  "Navajo Nation feels brunt of Colorado mine leak", NY Post, 12 August 2015
  4.  "Damage to Navajo Nation water goes beyond money", CNN, 13 August 2015
  5.  Elliott, Dan "Mine company says EPA is worsening Colorado water pollution", APNews, Associated Press, April 11, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
A full list of references for this article are available at the 2015 Gold King Mine waste water spill Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Considerations

This document was generated by an AI and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not represent the most current or complete information regarding the Gold King Mine spill or its aftermath.

This is not legal or environmental advice. The information provided herein should not substitute professional consultation with environmental scientists, legal experts, or regulatory bodies. Always refer to official reports and consult qualified professionals for specific assessments and guidance related to environmental incidents and legal matters.

The creators of this content are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented.