Home / Environment / Fuel Leak Contained in Columbia River
Fuel Leak Contained in Columbia River
2 Jun
Summary
- An abandoned underwater fuel line leaked heavy fuel oil.
- Containment booms and absorbent materials were deployed.
- Cleanup operations are ongoing with multiple agencies involved.
An abandoned underwater fuel line at the Port of Astoria's Pier 2 started leaking heavy fuel oil into the Columbia River on Friday. Port workers, alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, responded promptly over the weekend to contain and manage the spill.
Initial efforts involved deploying 2,600 feet of containment boom and absorbent materials to limit the spread of the oil. Divers successfully disconnected and capped the submerged pipeline section to prevent further leakage. As of Monday, the leak was contained, and cleanup operations, including quantifying the spill, shifted focus.
Cleanup efforts continue beneath and around the pier, with teams assessing affected shorelines. Response personnel remain on scene to monitor for secondary releases and continue cleanup. The operation is coordinated with several agencies, aiming to minimize environmental impact while reducing disruptions to port operations and local fishing.
