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Libby Creek Seep

 
Site Contact:
Valeriy Bizyayev
On-Scene Coordinator

(bizyayev.valeriy@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Libby, MT 59923
 response.epa.gov/LibbyCreekSeep

EPA Region 8 Removal program received a request for follow up on an uncharacterized seep into Libby Creek in the city of Libby, Lincoln county, Montana. Initial report by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality indicated a sheen with a strong chemical odor coming from the ground.

EPA Region 8 deployed a EPA START contractor to collect samples to support a Removal Site Evaluation and provide further characterization of the seep on 01/29/2021.


Upstream of sampling location LWS02. Visible staining is observed along drainage path. Photograph taken west of the river facing south by US EPA START contractor. Sheen observed at sample location LCS02. Sheen was observed to break into platelets without reforming indicating a biological sheen versus an oil sheen. Photograph taken by US EPA START contractor. Sampling location LWS02. Visible staining is observed along drainage path. Photograph taken facing north along LCS02 by US EPA START contractor. Sample location LWS02. Photograph is characteristic of the water quality and organic matter load within the seeps/drainage. Photograph taken by US EPA START contractor. Sampling location LWS02. Visible staining is observed along drainage path. Photograph taken facing north by US EPA START contractor. West river bank showing seep and sample location of LCS02. Seep location is indicated by visible staining of bank. Photograph was taken from east bank by US EPA START contractor. Photo taken from the east side of the river looking west. Visible staining from from sample location LCS02. The staining continues ~ 400 feet from bank seep location. Photograph taken by US EPA START contractor. Photo taken from LCS01. Photo looking west across the river. The staining is located on a island in the center of the river. Photograph taken by US EPA START contractor. Seep location LCS01, photograph shows sheen characteristic reported. Photograph taken by US EPA START contractor. Photograph of Location LCS01 to emphasize coloration, water quality and sheen characteristics reported of seep location. Photograph taken by US EPA START contractor. Seep location LCS01 in correlation to Libby Creek. Photograph taken on the east side of the river and looking southeast by US EPA START contractor. Seep location LCS01, to show detail and characteristics of sheen. Sheen was observed to break into platelets without reforming indicating a biological sheen versus an oil sheen. Photograph taken by US EPA START contractor. Panoramic view of sampling location LWS02. Photograph was taken on the west side of Libby Creek and looking west from the rocky island in river. Photograph taken by US EPA START contractor. Panoramic view of sampling location LCS01. Photograph was taken from the east side of the river looking west. Photograph taken by US EPA START contractor.
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