This project involved the cleanup of hazardous materials resulting from a herbicide spill into Fifteenmile Creek, a tributary of the Columbia River located east of The Dalles, Oregon. The cleanup operation was a collaborative effort among various agencies, including the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Fish and Wildlife services from both Oregon and Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as the prime contractor for the cleanup, Foss Environmental Services, and Prime Trucking Company.

A 12ft tall 25ft wide 100ft long double closed end (DCE) AquaDam was being readied for deployment in Fifteen Mile Creek Canyon in The Dalles, Oregon. The impressive backdrop of The Dalles Hydroelectric Plant on the Columbia River added to the grandeur of the scene. AquaDams arrive in a compact, rolled-up form, reminiscent of a carpet roll on a sturdy wooden beam. Each AquaDam is carefully encased in a protective covering and equipped with lifting ropes or straps for convenient transportation.

The DCE AquaDam was carefully positioned at the confluence of Fifteenmile Creek and the Columbia River using a crane. Its purpose is to halt the flow of herbicide-contaminated water into the Columbia River. The urgency of this task was paramount, as aquatic life was perishing and the power plant had to scale back operations until the AquaDam was in place.

Sandbags were strategically positioned around two sturdy 8-inch pipes to redirect clean water through the contaminated area. These pipes extended approximately one mile up Fifteenmile Creek to a location unaffected by the incident. The water was then efficiently pumped through the designated work area within the pipes.

The 12ft tall DCE AquaDam was installed in the creek just before it flows into the Columbia River. Although a sandbag dam had been previously constructed, it was insufficient in height to manage the expected water levels once the power plant resumed its regular operations.

The 12ft tall DCE AquaDam has been fully filled with water, creating a formidable barrier. Take note of the rock wall against which the AquaDam is positioned. The installation of this AquaDam was completed in approximately three hours after the pumps were activated. The primary focus of this project was ensuring a swift and efficient response.

An 8ft tall 17ft wide 100ft long AquaDam was placed directly behind the 12ft tall DCE AquaDam to provide support during the duration of the project.

The AquaDams were utilized to dam off Fifteen Mile Creek in order to contain and manage the contaminated water and soil. The removal, treatment, and transportation of these hazardous materials to a designated waste disposal site proved to be a challenging, time-consuming, and costly endeavor.

This photo depicts equipment being used to remove contaminated sediment from the creekbed of Fifteenmile Creek. The contaminated water was then pumped out into Baker tanks on site for treatment.

The initial plans included the use of multiple sandbag cofferdams to block off Fifteenmile Creek. However, it was determined that the sandbag cofferdams were insufficient in size to be effective. As a result, an AquaDam was installed directly in front of the sandbag cofferdam to provide a more robust barrier.

A third AquaDam has been installed upstream, positioned directly in front of the sandbags displayed here. Take note of the significant size difference between the original sandbag cofferdam and the AquaDam. The water and sediment in the creek have been saturated with the herbicidal contaminant known as Goal 2XL. Reports indicate that all aquatic life in the affected area has perished.

The contaminated onsite water was used to fill this 5ft tall 11ft wide 100ft long single closed end (SCE) AquaDam. The installation process took an hour and a half once the pumps were activated. It is worth noting that a worker is seen resting on the AquaDam. This individual was exhausted from the hard work accomplished from this installation.

This 5ft tall SCE AquaDam was positioned on the right-hand side of the bank and extended across the channel. The AquaDam, made of white material, featured a connection collar composed of black material attached to its closed end. The collar remained rolled up onto a wooden beam that the AquaDam was shipped with.

This photo depicts the pumps and 8-inch hoses located upstream of the accident site, which were utilized for diversion purposes. These pumps were instrumental in redirecting the clean water from the upstream area through the contaminated section of Fifteenmile Creek, effectively preventing the spread of the contamination.