On August 5th, 2015, while investigating the Gold King Mine in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, an Environmental Protection Agency team triggered a large release of mine wastewater into Cement Creek, a tributary of the Animas River. The release affected Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and three federally recognized Indian tribes. The immediate threat of the spill triggered emergency operations in all the affected jurisdictions, and extended analysis and monitoring of river conditions. While emergency operations are no longer in effect, San Juan Basin Health continues to assess the potential health risks posed by sediment deposited by the release which will re-enter flowing water this spring.
- San Juan Basin Health does not anticipate spring runoff will pose any additional human health risks as compared to previous years.
- If conditions change, emergency action plans are in place to protect community health and safety and to notify river users.
Residents can sign up with the La Plata County Code Red system to receive updates and alerts about the condition of the river.
Tips for River Users:
- It is always a good public health practice to wash with soap and water after exposure to untreated river water or sediment.
- As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that river users avoid extended contact with visibly discolored sediment or river water.
- Because children sometimes ingest water and soil when playing in or around the river, they should be supervised closely to limit their exposure to untreated water or sediments.
- When using any river or stream as water source be sure to properly treat water before consumption.
- Rinsing fishing and boating equipment after each use is always a good practice.
Learn more with the following Frequently Asked Questions:
Animas River Monitoring and Alerts (Published 6-2-16)
General (Published 3-30-16)
Drinking Water (Published 3-18-16)
Agriculture (Published 3-16-16)
Fish, Wildlife and Pets (Published 3-11-16)
Recreation (Published 3-11-16)