A
gasoline tanker truck trailer overturned on Interstate-90
near the Snoqualmie Pass on December 7, 2024, at approximately 2:00 AM due to icy
conditions, spilling gasoline onto soil and into a storm drain that leads into Keechelus Lake, the headwaters of the Yakima River. It was estimated that 3,602 gallons of gasoline were lost to the environment, some of which migrated through the drain, onto riprap supporting the highway, the lakebed and into Keechelus Lake. Emulsified product and rainbow sheen were observed in the stream flowing to Keechelus Lake and silver sheen was seen on the lake. No impacted wildlife has been observed in the area. The site is only accessible by boat.
Responders deployed containment boom and absorbent pads inside the storm drain, on the
riprap underneath the outfall, along the streambed flowing into the lake, and on the
lake surface in an attempt to catch the gasoline and minimize impacts to the environment. Responders are flushing the impacted storm drain, riprap and sediment, and managing containment materials to prevent product from reaching the lake surface.
The cleanup is being led by the responsible party (RP). Unified Command was formed to achieve consensus on response actions, consisting of the RP, EPA, Washington Department of Ecology, Yakama Nation and the Bureau of Reclamation, the landowner.
