FAQ - Will there be an impact to animals?

The Colorado Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian's Office is confident that water from the Animas River can be used to water livestock.  “The information we have received shows that water quality levels are comparable to those prior to the spill,” said Dr. Carl Heckendorf, State Veterinarian for the Colorado Department of Agriculture.  “We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates if it becomes necessary.”

The assessment of impacts to wildlife and fish populations in both the Animas and San Juan Rivers is ongoing but promising. The Environmental Protection Agency is working with the State of Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, the New Mexico Department of Game Fish, the Navajo Nation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to investigate reports of impacts to wildlife.

There were no fish kills along the Animas River during the plume event. Biologists walked and paddled the river looking for dead fish. There was also no evidence of scavenging by birds or other mammals.

No effects were seen on terrestrial animals – ducks, mammals, etc. Ducks have been seen back on the river since Monday, Aug. 10.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists placed fingerling rainbow trout in the Animas River in Durango the afternoon of Aug. 6 before the mine-spill plume reached the city. Fingerlings were used because they are most sensitive to environmental changes.  A total of 108 fish were placed at three separate locations in cages. Only 1 fish died, but not due to water quality. The fish remained healthy throughout the event and afterwards. They were removed from the river on Aug. 11.

After being removed from the river the fish were frozen and taken to Denver, where they’ll be tested for toxicity by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. Scientists will be looking for deposits of metals in tissue and organs. Those results will not be known for at least two weeks.

During the week of Aug. 24, CPW biologists will electro-fish the Animas River in Durango to check on populations of wild fish – sculpin, suckers, rainbow trout and brown trout. Some of those fish will also be sent to Denver for testing.

The Animas River has been affected by acid-mine run-off for decades and that has been detrimental to fish populations for many years. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has seen a noticeable decline in the number of trout in the river for the last 10 years. There are very few fish found from Silverton to Baker’s Bridge. The bridge is located about 10 miles north of Durango.

While this information is encouraging in terms of short-term impacts to fish, we will be evaluating long-term impacts associated with exposure to the plume and the impacts of deposited sediments over time. EPA will be working with the States of Colorado, New Mexico and the Navajo Nation to evaluate these and other ecological impacts as we move forward.