Gold King Mine Spill

On August 5, 2015, mining wastewater from the closed Gold King Mine was accidentally released into the Animas River while undergoing maintenance to reinforce containment of mine tailings. The spill attracted national attention, and raised legitimate concerns for the many recreationalists, outfitters and environmental protection advocates in the area.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ), among other agencies, began monitoring the incident immediately. The Animas River flows into the San Juan River, where Deer Hill and many other outfitters, operate. We have been watching the situation closely, reading available reports, and attending meetings with the agencies monitoring the area’s rivers.

As of October 2015, the UDEQ as of October 2015 assessed that “the San Juan River is at pre-spill levels” and does not suggest any additional precautionary measures for safe recreation on the river.

The San Juan River

In Photos

Deer Hill has been running the San Juan for over 30 years, and we’re excited for another great season! Here are a few photos from the last couple years.