Animas River Spill Situation

Yesterday the governor issued an Executive Order declaring a disaster emergency for the release of toxic chemicals from the Gold King Mine into southwest Colorado’s Animas River.  The accidental spill by the EPA caused the river to turn an orangey-yellow, shutting down the river to tourists and potentially impacting the river’s aquatic species.  Further information on the spill is available from the Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management.

Our library collection contains several helpful resources on the impact of mine contaminants on water.  The following items are available for checkout:

• The Effects of Mining on Water Quality and the Aquatic Ecosystem
• Guidelines for Control of Water Pollution from Acid Mine Drainage
• Report and Recommendations Regarding Water Quality Impacts from Abandoned or Inactive Mined Lands