COWLITZ COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT

April 28, 2002

Contacts: Dave Andrew, Cowlitz PUD

(360) 577-7502

Sandy Howard, Department of Ecology

(360) 407-6239, Pager 360-786-3136

SWIFT POWER CANAL BREACH

MEDIA UPDATE  

Environmental cleanup activity will continue Monday in Yale Reservoir, just below the breach of Cowlitz County PUD’s Swift Power Canal. A 250-foot section of the canal broke loose Sunday, April 21, dispersing transformer oil from the Swift No. 2 Powerhouse and a massive amount of debris.

About 21,900 gallons of oil were on site before the canal failure. Most of it was in two non-PCB transformers that were filled with mineral oil used for cooling. Each is estimated to have had 8,600 gallons of mineral oil. Any other oil released would have come from bearing lubrication and other sources inside the plant.

“This has been a very aggressive effort, involving several local, state and federal agencies and private industry," Cowlitz PUD spokesperson Dave Andrew said. “Much of the clean up work in Yale Reservoir is complete and we are hopeful it will conclude by later in the week.”

Oil recovery from the damaged powerhouse transformers has been successful. A total of 775 gallons of oil was pumped directly out of the transformers and an additional 1,090 gallons recovered in the vicinity of one of the transformers, which is partially buried adjacent to the powerhouse. Heavy equipment will be brought on sight to remove the buried transformer this week.

Clean up teams had recovered over 150 cubic yards of oily debris from the shoreline of the reservoir as of Sunday afternoon and also continued a surface skimming operation, according to the Department of Ecology. The bagged debris will be hauled to an approved facility and recycled or disposed.

Tests taken in the spill area have confirmed that the oil is non-PCB. “Experts tell us that 30 to 40 percent of the mineral oil spilled will disperse through evaporation,” Andrew said.

State and U.S. Fish and Wildlife workers have identified 53 dead fish, apparently due to shock from the rapid failure of the canal.

More information related to the cleanup effort is available on the Department of Ecology website at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/incidents/swiftcreek/swiftcreekbase.htm

SWIFT RESERVOIR WATER RELEASE

Water from Swift Reservoir began flowing via the bypass reach at noon Saturday, April 27. This was necessary due to Swift Reservoir reaching its capacity. More water allows more of the oil to float, and skimming is the easiest way to recover oil.

LEWIS RIVER RESERVOIR FISHING INFORMATION

Washington state Fish and Wildlife closed the Swift Power Canal to fishing and no trespassing signs are posted around the entire canal. This is being strictly enforced.

Swift Reservoir opened for fishing on Saturday, April 27. Reservoir levels are near full pool. Yale Reservoir remains closed for day-use activities and boating access until at least May 6, because of environmental clean-up activities.

Lake Merwin is open for fishing, but boat access is closed until further notice because reservoir levels are too low. This is because flows from Swift and Yale reservoirs are restricted to help crews with oil spill clean up. Merwin Reservoir is temporarily being used to sustain Lewis River flows until more normal flows can be resumed through Swift and Yale reservoirs.

TRAFFIC FLOW ON STATE ROUTE 503-SPUR

The state Department of Transportation reopened the damaged portion of SR 503-Spur, three miles east of Cougar, late in the day on Friday. A pilot car is being used to guide vehicles through the area, at least through Monday afternoon.

The single-lane roadway is 12 feet wide with two-foot shoulders on each side. It allows alternating, one-way traffic to move safely through the area.  Motorists can see from one end of the single-lane roadway to the other and stop signs are placed at each end to provide traffic control. 

Traveler information is available by calling DOT's hotline at (800) 695-ROAD or accessing www.wsdot.wa.gov/ on the Internet.