Emergency Response to August 2015 Release from Gold King Mine
On August 5, 2015, EPA was conducting an investigation of the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado, to:
- assess the on-going water releases from the mine,
- treat mine water, and
- assess the feasibility of further mine remediation.
While excavating above the old adit, pressurized water began leaking above the mine tunnel, spilling about three million gallons of water stored behind the collapsed material into Cement Creek, a tributary of the Animas River.
EPA takes responsibility for the Gold King Mine release and is committed to continue working hand-in-hand with the impacted local governments, states and tribes.
Photos related to Gold King Mine response
![Looking down into a forested valley, with four large, square constructed ponds and drainage channels.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/r_b_settling_ponds_large_scale.jpg)
![A narrow, forested valley with machinery and pump hoses with a drainage ditch lined with plastic sheets.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/upstream-post-diversion.jpg)
![Looking across a vally, the opposite slope is a mostly dirt face with roads cut diagonally.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/22aug15_gabion_basket_installation_2.jpg)
![a person in a red kayak on a wilderness river](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/2015-08-14_goldking_063-l.jpg)
![scenic photo of mountain stream with many boulders in the foreground](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/2015-08-14_goldking_044-l.jpg)
![scenic view of mountain stream with houses on the opposite shore](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/2015-08-14_goldking_054-l.jpg)
![a man holding a electronic measuring device and a water probe, standing waist-deep in the middle of a river](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/2015-08-14_goldking_048-l.jpg)
![side of a hill with a large opening and lots of excavation](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/2015-08-14_goldking_022-l.jpg)
![a man in a hard hat sprinkling lime (white power) into a pool of muddy water next to a culvert](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/2015-08-14_goldking_009-l.jpg)
![scene of a two constructed, muddy-colored ponds lined with black plastic, with mountains in the background](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/2015-08-14_goldking_013-l.jpg)
![Area Command photo: Area Command staff from EPA and Coast Guard receive updates during a morning briefing Area Command photo: Area Command staff from EPA and Coast Guard receive updates during a morning briefing](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/bc_gold-king-area-command.jpg)
![Sampling photo: EPA team monitor water in the Animas River to assure water quality is remaining at pre-event levels.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170126233116im_/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2015-08/new_with-white-space-gold-king-sampling.jpg)