Orange stain on Blue River in Breckenridge fades as officials watch drinking water

The heavy discharge that stained the Blue River a bright, burnt orange on Saturday had mostly subsided by Sunday morning.

Known for its clear waters, the Blue River turned a bright orange on Saturday with the discoloration being blamed on runoff from recent precipitation and traced back to an abandoned mine by Boreas Pass Road and Bright Hope Circle, above Illinois Gulch.

The surrounding area is infamous for old mining activity that’s been known to cause similar discolorations like this before in nearby waterways. In 2006, the source of the tainted water was pinpointed at the Iron Spring mill site along Boreas Pass Road, just past the town’s ice rink.

A warning sign asking people to keep out of the water remained in place by the Riverwalk Center in downtown Breckenridge on Sunday, as rainfall dampened the morning, washed the orange water downriver into Dillon Reservoir and helped return the Blue River to a green tint.

One of the biggest concerns following the river’s dramatic change in color from Friday to Saturday has been the safety of drinking water.

Breckenridge’s supply is safe, as the town pulls its drinking water from the Goose Pasture Tarn, a reservoir that’s well upstream of Illinois Gulch. However, many people living on the Front Range rely on Dillon Reservoir — downstream of this weekend’s orange discharge — for theirs.

While the public is being asked to keep out of the river in Breckenridge, officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are continuing to monitor the situation but have yet to uncover any adverse effects on anyone’s drinking water.

“The department is acting swiftly and coordinating with the Department of Natural Resources; Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety; and local public health agencies,” said Jill Ryan, executive director of the CDPHE, in a statement.

“State staff have been on scene and water system operators have been notified of the situation,” she continued. “There are no known impacts to drinking water at this time. As always, after being exposed to any wild river, including the Blue River, it’s necessary to wash with soap and water. It’s also never recommended to drink untreated river water.”

Summit Daily News reporter Deepan Dutta contributed to this report.

via:: Summit Daily