Summary of E P A Surface W ater Sampling of Select Metals

Results to Date
Gold King Mine Blowout
August 7, 2015

EPA initiated a sampling effort on August 5, 2015, to assess the impacts of the blowout at the
Gold King Mine near Silverton, CO. Surface water quality samples were collected from 7
locations (see Attachment 1). Two of these locations were on Cement Creek and 5 of these were
on the Animas River in Colorado. These locations were selected based on the fact that an
historical dataset already exists at these locations and they will serve thus as good indicators of
conditions before, during and after the event. Data depicted are the results of samples collected
over two days. These samples were delivered to the lab on August 6th. Results were available
and evaluated on August 7th.
Attachment 2 provides both an analysis of the dissolved concentrations of select metals over
time and operational milestones. Metals selected are indicative of trends of all metals analyzed
and can be related to historical averages for these water bodies.
The graphs in Attachment 2 demonstrate trends in concentrations of select metals that have
been detected historically in both Cement Creek and the Animas River. Each graph represents
the trends in those concentrations between August 5, and August 6, 2015. Each graph also
provides the average historical (pre-blowout) concentration of those metals. Historical
concentrations are not available for the 32nd Street Bridge location. The blowout occurred late
in the morning on August 5, 2015. The contaminant plume moved down stream at
approximately 4 miles per hour. The trends over time and location represent the movement of
the contamination and the return of the Animas River to conditions before the event.
The first graph provides data on Cement Creek, the downstream from the blowout (CC48).
Concentrations throughout the first day following the blowout are above historical averages for
the copper, lead and manganese. However, the graphs demonstrate a decrease in those
concentrations over the 24 hour period.
The second graph provides data on the Animas River above the town of Silverton (A68) and
above Cement Creek. This graph demonstrates relatively unchanging metals concentrations that
are at or below historical averages.
The third graph demonstrates the data from the Animas River just below the town of Silverton
(A72). The graph shows an initial spike in metals concentrations with levels returning to
historical averages by the morning of August 6, 2015.
The fourth graph demonstrates the data from Bakers Bridge on the Animas River just above
Durango, CO. Since this location is about 20 miles from Silverton, the metals concentrations are

increasing above historical averages. But, it is believed that subsequent data collection activities
will demonstrate a decrease in concentrations similar to those seen at upstream locations.
The fifth graph is of the 32nd Street Bridge sampling location. At the time the samples were
collected, it does not appear that the contamination had yet reached this sampling location.
It is believed that subsequent data collection activities and results in these locations and in
additional downstream locations will demonstrate an increase in metals concentrations followed
by a decrease to baseline.
I N I T I A L vs F I N A L
EPA receives INITIAL results from its laboratory 1-2 days after the samples are collected.
These INITIAL results are designated as FINAL once they have been validated. This validation
process usually takes 7-10 days. EPA is releasing INITIAL data to the public but it is important
to note that results are sometimes changed during the validation process.
A T T A C H M E N TS
Attachment 1: Sampling Locations
Attachment 2: Trends and Milestones

A ttachment 1: E PA Sampling Locations

A ttachment 2: T rends

Location: Cement Creek above Silverton (CC48)

UNITS:
Ug/L
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0

8/5/2015
7:25AM
Cadmium

Copper

8/5/2015
11:00AM
Lead

8/6/2015
6:00AM
Manganese
Zinc

Lead
Manganese Zinc
Baseline Cadmium Copper Iron
Average
4.31
73.93
7870
14.71
1952 1251

UNITS:
Ug/L

Location: Animas River at Silverton (A68)

900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
8/5/2015
4:00PM
Cadmium

8/5/2015
7:15PM
Copper

Lead

8/5/2015
11:30PM
Manganese

8/6/2015
6:15AM
Zinc

Lead
Manganese Zinc
Baseline Cadmium Copper Iron
Average
3
8.5
272
2.6
1940 581

UNITS:
Ug/L

Location: Animas Below Silverton (A72)

7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
8/5/2015
1:45PM
Cadmium

8/5/2015
4:15PM
Copper

8/5/2015
8:10PM
Lead

8/5/2015
11:50PM
Manganese

8/6/2015
6:30AM
Zinc

Lead
Manganese Zinc
Baseline Cadmium Copper Iron
Average
2
12
3070
4.34
1859 815

UNITS:
Ug/L

Location: Bakers Bridge

2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
8/5/2015
8:05PM
Cadmium

Copper

8/6/2015
12:00AM
Lead

Manganese

8/6/2015
9:00AM
Zinc

Lead
Manganese Zinc
Baseline Cadmium Copper Iron
Average
6.5
73
611
11.15
938
94

UNITS:
Ug/L

Location: 32nd Street Bridge

120
100
80
60
40
20
0
8/6/2015 12:40AM

8/5/2015 8:50PM
Cadmium

Copper

Lead

Manganese

8/6/2015 9:45AM
Zinc