North St. Vrain Oil Spill

AO Bureau

Also Known As

Apple Valley Tanker Rollover

Incident Type

Oil

State

Colorado

Case Status

Restoration

Location

Covers 5 mile stretch of the North St. Vrain

Authority

CWA, OPA

Contaminants of Concern Include

Oil

Affected DOI Resources Include

Migratory Birds, Threatened and Endangered Species, Other

Case Description

At approximately 12 p.m. on April 27, 2021, a tanker truck rolled on U.S. 36 near Lyons, Colorado spilling about 2,000 gallons of petroleum product into the North St. Vrain Creek. The release killed more than 800 fish and damaged habitat within a five mile stretch of the river. In addition to the fish kill, macroinvertebrates were significantly impacted for at least 1 mile downstream of the crash site. State and federal trustee interests include water quality, riparian habitat, supporting habitat for migratory bird, and an active bald eagle nest in the vicinity of the spill site. EPA, CSP, Boulder County Public Health (BCPH), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and other state and local agencies oversaw the removal of gasoline-contaminated soils and assessment of impacts to the North St. Vrain Creek.

Boom placed along Saint Vrain Creek (near MM 18 on HWY 36) shoreline near the accident location contain fuel spill., Credit: EPA


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Map View

Case Contact

Colorado Ecological Services, Colorado Field Office

Denver. CO | (303) 236-4773 | http://www.fws.gov/coloradoes/index.php

Case Trustees

AO Bureau

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