The Gold King Mine Spill: Can it Impact Water Users below the Lake Power Reservoir and Yuma Farmers?

On Wednesday August 5, 2015, during an EPA mine site investigation of the Gold King Mine near Silverton, CO, heavy equipment caused an unexpected release of acid mine drainage trapped inside a mine tunnel. A sample of the water was analyzed and found to contain several heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium. This publication describes the event and evaluates the potential impact to water users below the Lake Powell Reservois and Arizona Farmers.