On Monday, March 21, 2005 diesel was observed coming out of a hot water spring that feeds a developed hot spring pool, approximately 23 miles North of Crouch, Idaho. The commercial hot spring pool (known as the Silver Creek Plunge) discharges to Silver Creek, which is a tributary to the Middle Fork of the Payette River, which is a water of the U.S.. Upon investigation by the property owner, it was discovered that a line from a 2,000 gallon above-ground storage tank to a generator had been broken, probably about two weeks earlier, causing the release of an estimated 725 gallons of fuel mixture used for the generator (approx. 80% dyed #2 diesel and 20% stove oil). The release location was covered in snow and it was not observed until March 21st. The spilled fuel soaked into the granitic soil and into cracks in the granite substrate, where it comingled with the hotspring water prior to entering the hotspring pool. Fuel also found its way into a french drain system around the foundation of an adjacent shop building. Diesel fuel was found where the drain discharges on land surface, but was contained prior to entering Silver Creek. Fuel was contained in the hot springs pool, where it was recovered using absorbent pads. Approximately 300 yards of contaminated soils have been excavated to date and stockpiled on site. As of March 31, 2005, there is no observable discharge of fuel to Silver Creek.
On Thursday, 3/31/05, EPA OSC Weigel along with Idaho DEQ representative Eric Trainor responded to the site and met with the property owner and cleanup contractor. This was the first day since the spill was reported where weather and road conditions allowed safe access to the site via 4-wheel drive vehicle. At that time, it was observed that no visible discharge was occurring from the site to Silver Creek. A small amount of petroleum sheen was emanating from the hot spring, where it was contained in the pool and being recovered with absorbent pads prior to the hot springs discharging to the creek. Nor was there an observable discharge from the french drain system. The property owner had excavated approximately 300 yards of contaminated soils, which were stockpiled on plastic at the site. There remained within the excavation area a very large granitic boulder where it was believed additional fuel may be trapped in cracks or underneath. Also, additional excavation was required around the footing of the shop building. This work would have to take place by hand as it was not accessible with the excavator. EPA and DEQ discussed the additional work and sampling needs with the property owner and cleanup contractor prior to departing on 3/31/04.
OSC Weigel and DEQ will remain in regular contact with the property owner and his contractor regarding additional cleanup work at the site, and will make additional site visits as necessary. To date, the property owner is taking appropriate reasonable action to cleanup the spill and mitigate any continuing discharge to Silver Creek.
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