News Release
| Release Number: | 04-116 |
| Dated: | 6/5/2004 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
No oil was released to the main river channel
PORTLAND, Ore. - Managers at Bonneville Lock and Dam reported an incident this morning, which resulted in less than five gallons of oil being released into the Columbia River.
All the spilled oil was contained by pre-deployed containment booms and absorbent material, which allowed no oil to reach the main channel of the river. Federal and state spill response agencies have been notified.
The spill occurred about 4 a.m. Saturday as operations crews were filling an oil tank within the original powerhouse on the Oregon side. During the operation, the tank was filled beyond its capacity and oil spilled onto the powerhouse floor. Most of the oil entered the drainage system and traveled to the oil-water separator, which is designed to trap oil and keep it from getting into the river. Crews plan to remove the oil remaining in the separator and remove oil trapped by the booms. No sheen has been seen beyond the booms.
Crews believe the separator couldn't handle the amount of oil that entered the unit - usually it receives an oil-water mix -- and passed some of the oil directly to the river.
Managers are reviewing their procedures for filling oil tanks, as well as checking associated equipment to verify it is all in correct working order. About 1,375 gallons spilled onto the powerhouse floor.