Tanker Truck Rollover and Spill in Little Spokane River

Status updates

Monday, June 30, 2025 -- 7 p.m.

Ecology responders received a report of sheen in the river from a local resident upstream of the E Deer Park Milan Road Bridge. The reporting party granted access to their property, allowing crews to inspect the location where the sheen was observed. Product was found collecting in an eddy and along shoreline vegetation. Soft boom and absorbent pads were deployed to contain the material.

We are continuing to monitor the area. Residents are encouraged to report any visible sheen, especially rainbow sheen or tar balls by calling 1-800-OILS-911. For safety, please follow the recommendations outline in the flyer below:

• Do not enter or fish from the impacted area.

• Do not enter or fish from areas where an oil sheen is observed.

• Do not eat fish that is oiled or smells oily.

• Do not touch or eat dead fish.  

Thursday, June 26, 2025 -- 1:30 p.m.

No sheen was observed at the spill site or along the river in the impacted area.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 -- 6:35 p.m.

While on site today, no sheen or spill-related impacts were observed. Sorbent booms remain in place as a precaution. 

Crews will continue daily site visits through Friday to monitor and document changes.

Sunday, June 22, 2025 -- 1:45 p.m.

We were on site today to inspect upstream and downstream boom locations. No sheen was observed. One soft boom, located downstream from the incident site, had come untethered but was respositioned. 

Crews will continue daily monitoring this week to track for any sheen. 

Saturday, June 21, 2025 -- 12:30 p.m.

We were on scene today to inspect boom containment locations upstream and downstream. No sheen was observed at any of the sites. 

Crews will continue monitoring the area and maintain boom in place as a precaution.

Further assessments will be made based on weather conditions and any additional reports from the public. 

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 -- 4:30 p.m.

Cleanup operations remain active. Contractors monitored containment booms and collected a small amount of oiled vegetation and tar balls. No boom replacement was needed.

Debris removal from the collapsed bridge has been completed.

Ecology teams coordinated additional sediment sampling for laboratory analysis. Sheen from sediment agitation appeared less prevalent than during previous assessments. 

Work continues to focus on cleanup progress and environmental monitoring.

Monday, June 16, 2025 -- 4:30 p.m. 

This morning, contractors checked containment booms and collected a small amount of additional oiled vegetation and tar balls. No boom replacement was needed.

Crews continued removing collapsed bridge debris from the river. No new sheen was observed during the removal work, and previoulsy deployed sorbent boom remains in place as a precaution.

No new sheen was noted at previously monitored upstream and downstream sites. Containment and monitoring remain ongoing as cleanup progresses. 

Samples have been collected and sent for analysis. 

Sunday, June 15, 2025 -- 2 p.m.

We remain active onsite, working with contractors to monitor cleanup progress and assess conditions. This morning, contractors checked containment booms and collected a small amount of oiled vegetation and tar balls. No boom replacement was needed.

We surveyed four new sites to observe sheen released during sediment agitation. No sheen appeared at the east upstream location and a small amount was observed at the west upstream site, but could not be collected. Both downstream sites produced sheen, and a sample was collected from the west downstream site, located about half a river mile from the spill. 

A sampling plan to confirm cleanup standards is under development. 

Saturday, June 14, 2025 -- 5 p.m.

Efforts continue as we work alongside cleanup crews to monitor conditions and assess impacts. This morning the contractors were onsite to check containment booms and collect any additional oiled vegetation or tar balls. 

While surface sheen was minimal near the booms, more appeared when sediment was disturbed in some areas downstream. Containment and monitoring work remains ongoing. 

Friday, June 13, 2025 -- 4:30 p.m.

We remain on site at the Little Spokane River spill location working alongside EPA and contractors. Cleanup operations are ongoing, and there continues to be no indications that private wells have been impacted.

Following further assessment, the estimated spill volume has been revised. Yesterday, we reported that approximately 2,100 gallons of emulsified mixture entered the water. While we knew the product was diluted emulsion, the exact breakdown between water and asphalt wasn’t known at the time.

After reviewing the material and how it was diluted, we now estimate that approximately 300 gallons of asphalt product entered the water, much less than initially believed. Samples have been collected for analysis, including product, oiled vegetation, tar balls and sheen.

We’re committed to sharing timely and accurate information as conditions evolve and remain focused on transparency and public trust as cleanup efforts continue.

Thursday, June 12, 2025 -- 12:31 p.m.

We remain onsite at the Little Spokane River spill location in Chattaroy, WA, working alongside the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Cleanup operations are ongoing, and there continues to be no reported impact to public health or nearby drinking water sources. 

Yesterday, a tow company stabilized the truck, allowing 1,500 gallons of product to be removed before it was extracted. The truck was originally carrying 3,600 gallons, leaving an estimated 2,100 gallons unaccounted for.

The responsible party hired a contractor to support environmental cleanup. Hard boom and sorbent materials were deployed at several downstream locations to help contain and recover product from the water. In total, there are 13 sorbent boom deployments and seven hard boom deployments within the 1.3 mile impacted stretch of river. Sorbent materials are actively collecting product and were changed several times throughout the day.

We continue to assess impacts and develop a mitigation strategy to address the remaining product. As of last night, sheen was observed up to one mile downstream.

Containment efforts remain in place and monitoring efforts are ongoing.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 -- 12:12 p.m. 

The Washington Department of Ecology ane the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are responding to an asphalt release into the Little Spokane River in Chattaroy. A bridge failed under the weight of a spray truck carrying an asphalt mixture, causing the truck to overturn and spill an estimated 2,1000 gallons into the water. 

The release occurred near the intersection of E Eloika Road and N Milan Elk Road. Cleanup contractors are onsite, and containment booms and absorbent materials have been deployed.

Photos of this incident are available through our Flickr album.