Lime Spill; Powells Creek, VA

Powells Creek, VA | 2004-Dec-03

Initial Notification: On December 3, 2004, NOAA DAC was notified by the USFWS of a truck accident along Route One near Woodbridge VA that resulted in a release of powdered lime into Powells Creek. The truck was loaded with 27 tons of lime. The exact amount spilled into the Creek is unknown, but preliminary visual estimates suggest that up to 20 tons may have spilled into the Creek. Powells creek enters the Potomac River just south of Occuquan Bay, approximately 25 miles downstream of Washington D.C. The spilled lime is having a visible exothermic reaction in the creek and the water is boiling near the release site. In addition to the heat given off by the reaction, there is concern regarding elevated pH. NOAA has requested chemistry support from LSU to evaluate the potential fates and behavior of the spilled lime. This portion of Powells Creek is tidally influenced and is an environmentally sensitive area. NOAA resources, primarily anadromous and catadromous fish species, are present in this area and there are already reports of fish kills.