August 31, 2015: EPA Update on Gold King Mine Response: Additional Data Results and Public Records

WASHINGTON – Today (August 31, 2015) EPA released an update on water quality and sediment data for the Animas and San Juan Rivers, as well as additional public records on the Gold King Mine response.

What new documents are being released?

EPA is releasing documents related to a previous NPL listing package for the Upper Animas Mining District National Priorities Listing. To view the documents: https://www.epa.gov/goldkingmine/august-31-2015-documents-related-prior-national-priorities-list-discussions

EPA is also releasing additional photos from the Gold King Mine response. To view the photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usepagov/sets/72157654862884644

What data is EPA posting today?
EPA is posting sediment and water quality results for the Animas and San Juan Rivers for the following dates and locations:

• EPA sediment samples for August 11 and 19, 2015 were collected from 10 locations in the Animas River.
• EPA sediment samples for August 13 and 14, 2015 were collected from 17 locations in the Animas River.
• EPA sediment samples for August 16 and 18, 2015 were collected from 2 locations in the Animas River.
• EPA sediment samples were collected on August 23, 25, 26 and 27, 2015, at locations along the Animas and San Juan Rivers.
• EPA surface water samples for August 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, 2015 were collected from eight locations in the Animas River.
• EPA surface water samples were collected August 23, 24, and 25, 2015, at locations along the Animas and San Juan Rivers.
• EPA sediment samples were collected August 25 from 11 locations along the San Juan River in the Navajo Nation.

What do the sample results show?

EPA has done a review of the data which included a comparison to screening levels for exposure during recreational use to determine if metal concentrations are consistent with pre-event levels. Based on the results of all the sediment and water quality samples, concentrations are trending toward pre-event conditions.

To view the data: https://www.epa.gov/goldkingmine/emergency-response-monitoring-data-gold-king-mine-incident