A Camaro, F-150 and Dodge diesel pickup are part of an unexpected haul near the Umatilla River
Green party: This mid-2000s Dodge Cummins diesel truck was one of three vehicles extracted from Johnley Pond near the Cayuse community on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Photo: CTUIR Planning Department
By Chuck Thompson. April 23, 2025. Keep on truckin’ isn’t a phrase you hear much these days, but it’s one that applies to the April 12 efforts of Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Planning Department employees, volunteer divers and others who pulled three vehicles from Johnley Pond near the Cayuse community.
The cleanup team had expected to recover just one vehicle in the 30-foot-deep pond located north of the Umatilla River in northeastern Oregon.
CTUIR Environmental Health & Safety Specialist Brian Fullen said he knew of a 1979 Ford F-150 truck in the pond and had scheduled the dive to remove it, according to a CTUIR press release.
Fish out of water: Volunteer divers from Oregon Dive and Rescue look on as Eastern Oregon Towing pulls a 1979 Ford F-150 out of Johnley Pond. Photo: Lee Gavin/CTUIR
However, once divers got in the water they found a mid-2000s Dodge Cummins diesel truck and 1984 Camaro Iroc, which were also extracted.
“They were in the water two minutes and found another vehicle that we weren’t even planning on. There’s been lots of rumors of vehicles in the bottom of [the pond],” said Fullen.
The pond is a former rock quarry that over the years has become an illegal dump, shooting range and party spot.
Not so fast: A 1984 Camaro Iroc was a surprise salvage from Johnley Pond on April 12. Photo: CTUIR Planning Department
Fullen said the Environmental Protection Agency will visit the site in coming weeks.
Johnley Pond is populated with perch, bass, bullfrogs and, now, three fewer invasive species.
