News Release
| Release Number: | 04-100 |
| Dated: | 5/24/2004 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. - Federal dam operators at The Dalles Dam were busy Saturday afternoon containing more hydraulic oil that leaked from the powerhouse, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today.
Operators believe the oil sheen was no more than 15 gallons -- and more likely less than 3 gallons -- and is related to an oil release that occurred May 18 at the dam.
On Saturday, the oil was seen in the Columbia River directly below the powerhouse, and crews were able to place containment booms around the sheen to keep it from moving downstream of the dam. The sheen eventually dissipated.
Dam officials have un-watered the turbine involved in Saturday's spill. Crews are inspecting the machinery to determine the source of the leak and to make any needed repairs.
The spill was reported to state and federal spill response agencies. Officials from the Washington Department of Ecology visited the site, as they have following similar spills at the dam since January. Ecology representatives were shown that the sheen was stabilized and that the Corps had taken the corrective actions in order to minimize environmental impact.