By Dac Collins. April 5, 2018. On March 28, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initiated spill prevention protocols at the Dalles Dam because of a potential oil spill. An investigation into what caused the spill is currently underway.
According to a press release from the Corps, approximately 470 gallons of oil leaked from one of the generating units at the dam.
The Corps was first notified of the oil leak on March 18, when the generating unit in question sent an indication of low oil to the control room. A mechanic inspected the unit and added oil, and, as a precaution, the Corps staff began monitoring the Columbia River for any evidence of oil downstream of the Dalles Dam.
Workers reassessed the condition of the unit on March 22 and found that the oil level appeared to be even lower. It was de-watered, isolated and removed from service the following day.
Tom Conning, who serves as Public Affairs Specialist for the Corps of Engineers, says the Corps is still investigating the incident.
“We still haven’t found the cause [of the leak], or the specific area where it leaked from,” Conning says. “There is no evidence that the oil went into the Columbia,” Conning adds, “but we’re still looking into what exactly happened.”
According to Conning, the generating unit is still de-watered as of April 5, and it will remain out of commission until the investigation is complete.
