Animas Lunch Report – 8/10/15 – What’s Going to Happen???
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien
What’s going to happen with the Animas!!?
We have been asked this question nonstop for the past 5 days. I am going to try to keep this as short as possible. It’s pretty difficult though with all the factors involved:
Wednesday, we were alerted to the breech of the plug/bulkhead/dam/whatever the thing is called at the Gold King mine up Cascade Creek above Silverton. A Rocky Mountain zit popped, spewing dissolved heavy metal puss into Cement Creek.
Thursday, we waited anxiously as the plume of acidic toxicity made it’s way towards Durango at 4 miles per hour. Lots of reports were coming in. We were unsure what was going to happen. Some made it sound like the end of the world. State and even national news sources were picking up on the story.
Friday kicked off the Dos Mosca fly fishing tournament. Half the teams would be fishing the Pine, the other half were supposed to be floating the Animas. Well turns out the La Plata County Sheriffs office closed the Animas due to high concentrations of toxic solvents and heavy metals. We made due with the hand dealt and fished in the creeks instead. Same for Saturday. Most of us did not have the ability to process what was going on with the Animas yet. The Dos Mosca went great, lots of fish were caught, and the money raising goal was surpassed for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Sunday hit, and we finally had time to dig into the facts of the situation…and it was complex. It is still complex.
There is plenty of information out there right now on the Animas River situation. One of the best write ups can be found over at High Country News. I implore you to read this article to get the full scope of the situation as well as the history behind it. You can also check out these links for more information.
When Our River Turned Orange: Nine things you need to know about the Animas River mine waste spill.
EPA Gold King Mine Release Incident Report
Why Was The Environmental Protection Agency Messing With A Mine Above Silverton?
Mountain Studies Institute: Early Signs Good for Animas River Biology
Mountain Studies Institute: Gold King Spill
Here is what we do know:
- Despite all the doom and gloom; so far the signs have been good for trout and aquatic invertebrates in the Animas river. We are not seeing dead fish anywhere. Also, some unnamed genius decided to come in the shop and brag that he caught a brown trout on the Animas in town this morning. While this is a good sign that fish are surviving, thriving, and are currently eating: don’t fish the Animas right now. The Sheriffs department has closed the river, you could get a ticket. While you can still catch fish: a toxic plume of heavy metal junk just passed through every trout’s gills, and it has been hot lately. Give these fish a damn break right now.
- You know how you should give the fish on the Animas a break? By fishing somewhere else in this beautiful region of Southwest Colorado. Seriously, a 20 minute drive will take you to numerous (and amazing) trout fisheries.
- If you are currently on the books with us for a upcoming guide trip; your trip is NOT cancelled! You may not be fishing the Animas right now…but the flows on the San Juan have been bumped up to counteract the toxic plume downstream and it is fishing great. The Piedra is fishing great. The Dolores is fishing great. The Pine is fishing great. The hundreds of SW Colorado creeks are fishing great. We still plan on taking you out for a day on the water and catching loads of trout!
- The Gold King Mine is only one of 22,000 mines in Colorado that are full of toxic water.
- Everyone wants to blame the EPA. Keep in mind that while the accident was caused by the EPA, they were attempting to fix the pollution problem that was left by the mining companies. Should we blame mining companies? Maybe, but remember that the mining company was up there digging out rare earth minerals that were in demand 100 odd years ago. People like you and I demanded them. The mining methods were crude, but the mining companies didn’t fully understand (or care) about the long term effects. Can you say you understand or care about the long term effects of the mines around the world that produced the computer, tablet, or smartphone you are reading this on? I am not saying you should feel bad, but finger pointing only gets you so far. These disasters are everyone’s problem, not just the EPA’s. Michael Jackson wrote a song that spoke to this.
- This event educated more people about the plight of the Animas River. Mining pollution is not new for us here in Durango. The effects of this may not be fully realized for years to come. Hopefully the effects are positive ones.
We may see some more bumps along the way; but we are choosing to remain optimistic that in the long run, the Animas and it’s ecosystem comes out stronger than ever.
Andy McKinley
Duranglers Flies and Supplies
This is a great write up. I honestly expected more emotion on the topic and am inspired by this very mature take on a shitty situation. Make no mistake, very, very sad to hear about this. We are thinking about you guys over here in Carbondale.
Man, thanks so much for the kind words Zach. We really appreciate it for sure. We are certainly hoping for the best.
Thank you!
-Andy
Hoping to make it there this weekend from telluride to help boost the durango economy a bit. Durango is awesome!
Thank you very much Jeff, we truly appreciate it. We agree, Durango is awesome!
Take Care,
-Andy
To all at Duranglers- I cried at the pictures. I hope you can keep your bookings and that others will have the sense and calmness to read, contemplate and somehow get involved at some level with the management of ANY water sources we have. Please keep the website posted with any information that you get that is credible and not simply finger-pointing. Once out, it is out. Hopefully the impacts to those who rely on this stream and basin for stock , drinking and crop water are not too devastating. To those of you who are coming to Duranglers for a trip, please, come. There are a number of great waters available and this time of year, the creeks are super. Come enjoy the millions of acres and waterways that are not impacted. Thanks for the insightful and honest post Andy- To all at the shop- best wishes and my hopes for a solution are with you- Wendy
Hey Wendy,
Thank you so much for the kind words. We truly appreciate it and hope all is going well with you. We are holding out hope for the best for the Animas and that this incident will just lead to the healing of our water.
Take care and I hope all is well with you these days. Tom, John, and the rest of the Duranglers crew send our regards.
-Andy
We left Durango 2 weeks ago, I want to thank Duranglers and Corey for a great drift boat outing on the San Juan. Andy you have the best most rational assessment of the situation I have seen anywhere, and there has been some utter stupidity on social media. My feeling is that the Animas will be back and sooner rather than later. We, in Arkansas, will be wishing you the best during this trying time. Keep your chin up, and most of all the good work you do. Robert (Tony) Rogers.
Thank you so much for the good word Tony. I don’t know if I am a level headed guy, but I try to keep it that way at times. Thanks again for taking a trip with us and we hope to see you in the future!
-Andy
Excellent writeup. As a Durango local, Animas River fisherman, and father of three little ones who love the river, I too am hoping for the best case scenario.
Lets hope it clears up sooner rather than later and we can get back on and in the water.
Fully Agree Fox!
Also, massive thanks for the consolidation and summarization of valuable information. Reading the news feeds from a search online yields so much conflicting information that it is tough to make sense of it at times.
The Duranglers Lunch report is awesome! You guys do a great job with it!
Thank you very much Fox, we truly appreciate your input and thank you for taking the time to read the Animas Lunch Report.
-Andy
Andy and all the shop fellas… Thanks for posting the most balanced and thoughtful explanation of what is going on with our beloved river. Maybe this could actually bring the community, state and government together to address some of the bigger issues that we have all seen for years here. Thanks for leading our community in action, not finger pointing. We are going to need everyone, even the EPA (God-forbid), to take action for the future.
And to everyone else not in Durango but sharing their support, a hearty thank you!!!