Several seemingly intact 100-gallon drums labeled “Weed Killer” have been detected in Wallowa Lake in Oregon, causing concern for state and federal officials.
The Environmental Protection Agency had this to say about the drums:
“Fifty-five-gallon drums have been found at the lake bottom for years, a remnant of the days when empty drums were used extensively to float and anchor docks. It was common practice for people to fill the drums with water, rock or cement and anchor the drums with rope to floating docks.”1
However, it’s the “12 seemingly intact 100-gallon” drums labeled “2,4-D or 2,4,5-T weed killer”1that are of concern. A 1-to-1 mix of the herbicides was better known as “Agent Orange” when it was used in Vietnam by the U.S. military.
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Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) explained further:
“As of midday Friday, responders had identified 18 drums so far, both intact and rusted out, using a remotely operated vehicle. One drum has the “2,4-D or 2,4,5-T” label and appears to be intact. There’s no evidence of any leaking drums at this time.”
Divers are now working at around 90-120 feet, doing detailed assessments of the drums. Their top priority is doing visual and tactile assessment on drums that appear to be intact.
Responders will continue the assessment, and if conditions allow, could begin removing the highest priority drums as early as tomorrow.
The labels on the drums appear to be commercial.1
Oregon DEQ does not yet know what is inside the drums. They could be empty. But the EPA is exercising caution, stating:
The 100-gallon size and chemical markings on the recently found drums are unusual. For this reason, government agencies are taking extra precautions to test the lake water and remove the drums to ensure the lake continues to meet water quality standards for people, fish and wildlife.
The drums were found last fall by the Blue Mountain Divers scuba club from Walla Walla, Washington. They found the drums on the bottom of the lake under 85 feet of water.1
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The lake is the main source of drinking water for Joseph, Oregon, but state officials do not believe the drums are a risk to the drinking water. The lake is still open for recreation, and routine tests have not found any herbicides or pesticides in the water.
The DEQ plans to remove the drums but states it could be a challenge:
“The water is deep, cold, and at high elevation (4,372 feet). Estimated depths of the drums range between 90 to 140 feet. The water conditions will likely constrain the amount of time divers can spend doing the work. Divers may be able to spend as few as five minutes at the depths they are able to reach, and they likely won’t be able to descend to the deeper depths. The response plan will continue to evolve as the responders get more information.1
