EPA, DEQ conclude on-site investigation at Wallowa Lake, find 74  drums, only one with herbicide label 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality concluded the on-site investigation today into reports of drums at the bottom of Wallowa Lake labeled with the herbicides "2,4-D or 2,4,5-T." Contrary to previous reports by recreational divers, EPA and DEQ’s investigation found only one drum with the “2,4-D or 2,4,5-T” herbicide label. That 55-gallon drum was rusted out with holes and contained lake water. (See links below for information about those herbicides.)

Over the years, many 55-gallon drums have been filled with rocks and concrete to be used as anchors for floating docks or used as floats – and EPA and DEQ believe the drums they’ve found are part of that history.

The EPA-DEQ investigation found a total of 74 drums in the investigation area on the south side of Wallowa Lake. All 74 drum had holes and contained lake water. EPA’s contractors removed all drums that appeared underwater to be intact or had a label indicating it may have previously contained a hazardous substance, a total of five drums:

• One drum labeled “2,4-D or 2,4,5-T”
• One drum labeled “Inspected”
• One drum labeled “Hosp”
• Two drums that did not have labels but appeared underwater to be intact. After further investigation on land, EPA concluded these drums were not intact.

EPA and DEQ determined the remaining non-intact drums found at the bottom of Wallowa Lake are likely filled with lake water and do not pose an imminent risk to people or wildlife.

Despite finding all drums empty and filled with lake water, EPA and DEQ took multiple samples of water and sediment to test for “2,4-D or 2,4,5-T” as an extra precaution. The agencies expect to have initial lab results later this week.

Federal and state agencies will assess the information and data collected during the investigation and will determine appropriate next steps for the area. That work could include additional investigation, historical review and assessment, and possible additional actions including continued sampling of water and sediment.

EPA and DEQ will host a public informational meeting about the drum removal on Tuesday, June 25, 6-8 p.m., at the Joseph Community Center, 102 E. First St., Joseph, Oregon.

EPA and DEQ worked in collaboration with the City of Joseph, Wallowa Lake State Park, Oregon Department of State Lands, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon State Marine Board, Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office, Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

• Information on 2,4-D from CDC
• Information on 2,4,5-T from CDC

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On June 17th divers removed three drums from Wallowa Lake on Monday: one marked “Inspected” that was not intact, one marked “Hosp” that was not intact, and one seemingly intact drum that had no label. 

Divers have now removed a total of five drums. EPA determined all five drums have holes and contain lake water after evaluating them on land. 

EPA discovered additional drums today, bringing the total number of drums in the inspection area to 72. Most of these drums are unlabeled and rusted out with holes. 

There are four drums remaining for divers to inspect tomorrow, to determine if they are intact or if they have labels that indicate they may once have contained a hazardous substance. All sediment samples were collected and shipped for analysis. Operations on the lake will likely conclude at the end of day Tuesday. 

EPA contractors removed two drums late Sunday, including one drum labeled with "2,4-D or 2,4,5-T." This drum was not intact—it was rusted with holes—and continues to be the single drum confirmed to have an herbicide label. Divers placed the rusted drum in a new black overpack drum prior to removal to contain any substances that may have been in the corroded drum. Upon opening the drum, the contents appeared to be lake water. Out of an abundance of caution, responders sampled the water in the drum and will submit to a laboratory for 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T analyses. 

The second drum contractors removed was unlabeled and appeared to be intact. EPA will sample its contents on Monday for analysis. 

EPA has now identified 69 total drums in the area, most of which appear to be unlabeled and rusted out with holes. 

There are approximately 12 drums that are potentially intact and are undergoing further investigation by divers. Divers will continue detailed inspections of the drums. EPA will prioritize removing any drum, intact or rusted out, that has a label indicating it may have once contained a hazardous substance. 

Divers continued taking sediment samples at the lake bottom. 

Crews will continue investigation and could remove additional high priority drums Monday. 

• EPA and DEQ have completed the survey of the area of drums identified by Blue Mountain Divers.
• A Remotely Operated Vehicle and contract divers have found 68 drums.
• We have found no 100-gallon drums but have found two floats made of two 55-gallon drums welded together.
• One drum with a label “2,4-D or 2,4,5-T” has been found. It is not intact and appears to be filled with water.
• Divers are continuing to conduct visual and tactile inspections of the drums. Depending on safety conditions, EPA will remove drums that are intact, and, out of an abundance of caution, will also remove drums that are not intact but have labels indicating they once contained hazardous substances.
• Drum removal is expected to begin Sunday, June 16.
• EPA and DEQ also took samples of lake water and lake sediment today.