At 4:11 pm on Tuesday, October 26th, a Central Oregon and Pacific train derailed in Cow Creek Canyon approximately 14 miles southwest of Riddle, Oregon. The train had 34 cars carrying lumber products and 3 locomotives. A total of 12 cars derailed, including the second and third locomotives. Saddle tanks on both locomotives were punctured releasing approximately 4,300 gallons of diesel fuel to the railroad ballast area and to Cow Creek which runs immediately adjacent to the railroad track in this area. Cow Creek flows into the South Fork of the Umpqua River near Canyonville, Oregon. Cow Creek contains a number of sensitive resources including Oregon Coast Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Coastal Cut Throat, and Pacific Lampree.
