WorldWide Drilling Resource

Effects of the Gold King Mine Accident Adapted from a Press Release by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted the final fate and transport report for the Gold King Mine (GKM) release. It was August 5, 2015, when a field investigation of the GKM near Silverton, Colorado, accidentally triggered the estimated release of three million gallons of acidic, mine-impacted waters into theAnimas River. The GKM release crossed three state lines and three tribal lands over a nine-day period for an approximate total distance of about 340 miles. The report focuses primarily on understanding preexisting river con- ditions, the movement of metals related to the GKM release through the river system, and the effects of the GKM release on water quality. The re- search confirmed the EPA’s earlier statements that water quality in the af- fected river system returned to its preexisting levels. "This report is a comprehensive analysis of the effects on water quality from the Gold King Mine release," said Dr. Thomas A. Burke, EPA's science advisor and deputy assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Research and Development. “While data indicate that water quality has returned to preevent conditions, EPA is committed to continue our work with states and tribes in the river system affected by the Gold King Mine release to ensure the protection of public health and the en- vironment.” The area affected consists of complex river systems influenced by decades of historic acid mine drainage. As the yellow plume of metal-laden water traveled down- stream after the release, metal concentrations within the plume decreased as they were diluted by river water and as some of the metals settled to the riverbed. EPA researchers analyzed more than 1750 total and dissolved water samples collected by EPA, states, and tribes through August 2016, as well as 963 sediment samples from 294 sites throughout the total river system. Fortunately, there were no reported fish kills in the affected rivers, and post-re- lease surveys by multiple organizations have found other aquatic life does not ap- pear to have suffered harmful short-term effects from the GKM plume. The concentrations of metals in well water samples collected after the plume passed did not exceed federal drinking water standards. However, some metals from the release contributed to samples which exceeded state and tribal water quality criteria at var- ious times for nine months after the release in some locations. Results from this analysis will be used to inform future federal, state, and tribal decisions on water and sediment monitoring. The EPA plans to continue working with states and tribes to ensure the protection of public health and the environment in the river system affected by the Gold King Mine release. Although the GKM metal deposits were highly visible as a bright yellow plume, they were on average, similar to exist- ing metal concentrations stored in river sediments from years of mining activity in the area. Hydraulic-Pneumatic tools in stock. Sizes 1” to 20”. 2547 W Success Way Emmett, ID 83617 (208) 365-3492 • Fax: (208) 365-3792 rauchmfg.com • rauchmfg@frontiernet.net Model 113HD All Hydraulic Sizes 1"-13" Las Vegas Water Expo 2016 Dealmakers Schneider Water Services of St. Paul, Oregon, was pleased to purchase this S30,000 SEMCO pump hoist. On the right, the Sam Jorgensen Pump Co., Inc. Team from Reedley, California, was pleased to attend the event after receiving an S8,000H SEMCO pump hoist from SEMCO, Inc. of Lamar, Colorado. SEMCO, Inc. Yadkin Well Co., Inc. of Hamptonville, North Carolina, purchased their 12th rig, a 30K, from GEFCO, Inc., an Astec Industries Co. in Enid, Oklahoma. Pictured are Caitlyn, Rachael, and Matthew from Yadkin; and Jamie, Aaron, and Chip with GEFCO. GEFCO, Inc. 17 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® MARCH 2017