Portland, Ore. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, has initiated its oil spill prevention protocol after 192 gallons of hydraulic turbine oil discharged into the Columbia River downstream of The Dalles Lock and Dam.
The Corps is dedicated to rapid spill responses and has notified the National Response Center, Oregon and Washington emergency management offices, Columbia Riverkeeper and the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission.
The leak was discovered on December 18, when a low sump oil alarm for one the dam’s turbines was received by the Control Room. Upon discovery of the discharge of oil, operators removed the unit from service, isolated the unit from the river, and deployed absorbent pads.
The Corps will be investigating the cause and will continue to monitor the waters downstream and prepare to clean up any sheens.
Release no. 18-119