'Devastating' spill in salmon habitat near Port Angeles: What to know

Isabella Breda, The Seattle Times on Jul 20, 2025

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ALONG THE ELWHA RIVER, Wash. — Hundreds of dead juvenile fish. An oily sheen. The overpowering smell of gasoline.

These are the scenes near where a fuel tanker truck crashed Friday off Highway 101, spilling some 3,000 gallons of fossil fuels into Indian Creek. The creek is a tributary of the Elwha River, which has for years been a model for salmon recovery efforts.

What happened?

The truck went off the road and into the creek around 10:20 a.m. Friday, Washington State Patrol Trooper Katherine Weatherwax said.

The truck was headed west on Highway 101, failed to make a right turn and went off the road to the left, according to the Washington State Patrol. The tanker went down a 200- to 300-foot embankment and landed on its top in Indian Creek, according to state troopers.

The driver, 58, of Port Angeles, was accused of negligent driving in the second degree, according to Washington State Patrol. He was taken to a Port Angeles hospital, Olympic Medical Center, as a precaution. He told first responders he suffered a medical emergency at the time of the crash, Weatherwax said Friday.

The tanker was leaking into the river on Friday.

Help came from far and wide.

The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe brought a spill trailer to the site. The local fire department came to deploy absorbent mats and booms. The Quileute Tribe and Port of Port Angeles responded with booming material.

The state Department of Ecology, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Clallam County Sheriff's Office and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe all helped in the response. A contractor for PetroCard, the trucking company, was on site.

Where was the spill?

It happened west of Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula.

The Indian Creek basin feeds into the Elwha River, Port Angeles' main potable water source. The river is also critical habitat for fish recovery efforts.

What is the current status of the spill?

By 5 a.m. Saturday, the truck had been pulled from the water, according to Ecology. The road also reopened.

Will Rechkoff of Republic Services hoisted a plastic pipe from a truck bed Saturday along the highway. His crew was hired to help in the cleanup. The pipes will be used to suck up contaminated soils, debris and liquid from the site.

Rechkoff and his crew are jacks of all trades, responding to spills as small as a gallon of gas in a parking lot to a bigger event like this, he explained.

Are air and water in the area safe for people?

With a limited water supply and an unknown level of contamination, the City of Port Angeles asked residents to conserve as much water as possible.

After the crash, the city shut down its water treatment operations, which draw from the Elwha River downstream. Under normal conditions, the city’s reservoirs have about a day’s worth of water stored. But with conservation, it’s unclear how long that supply might last.

“Residents and businesses should limit their water use to essential needs only,” the release said. “This includes drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.”

Once tests show the water is safe to use, the city’s reservoirs will need to be refilled. Homes and businesses connected to Port Angeles’ water system should plan to conserve the resource through the weekend, the release said.

Air monitoring readings are not at a level above human health and safety as of Saturday morning, but people in the area should still be mindful of symptoms like headaches or dizziness and seek medical attention if needed, according to the state.

Officials requested people report — but not collect or eat — oiled or injured wildlife to 1-800-22-BIRDS.

What's the danger to fish?

Dead juvenile salmon, trout, lamprey and invertebrates were visible in Indian Creek and the Elwha River on Saturday.

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe began collecting samples for testing.

The advocacy of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe over decades and generations led to a massive restoration project. Two hydroelectric dams were removed from the Elwha River starting in 2011. The dams had blocked more than 90% of the river since 1911, and the river has since come roaring back.

It helped pave the way for similar efforts, like dam removal on the Klamath River in California.

"We were so proud, and so happy with our success, and then this," said Frances Charles, chairwoman of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. "We have a lot more work to do, but we are Elwha strong and grateful for all of the calls and prayers we are receiving from everywhere.

What are officials saying?

Gov. Bob Ferguson planned to visit the site Sunday afternoon with other elected leaders and Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller.

“This is a devastating accident for Indian Creek and the Elwha River,” Ferguson said. “This spill is nothing short of heartbreaking for local tribes and other Washingtonians who rely on clean, healthy rivers and streams for their food and livelihoods.”

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(Seattle Times staff reporter Conrad Swanson contributed reporting. Material from The Seattle Times archives was included in this story.)

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