CEMENT CREEK, Colo -- State environmental leaders are keeping an eye on the Animas River that seemed to change colors after U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials were inspecting a mine near Cement Creek.
'I would expect someone to let us know that it's orange, or they're seeing like crazy amounts of discoloration. We haven't received those reports," said Shelly Lemon, New Mexico Environmental Department's Surface Water Quality bureau chief.
KOB 4 learned the NMED is not expecting any major health or environmental impacts.
"Sediment is a problem in this system," Lemon said.
The Animas River looks a little different as of Friday. For folks who live nearby and use the river, the state's Environmental Department wants them to know it's nothing like what we saw 10 years ago.
"It lasted, from what we understand, about an hour, the flow out of the mine, and then it was done. So it was a short-term event, which is good, unlike the Gold King mine release," Lemon said.
Here's what happened. EPA officials were performing inspections in a mine. Sediment falls during those inspections, causing the water to turn colors. Now, the water in the upper Animas River and near Cement Creek changed colors.
"Especially these types of mines, there can be some pressure that builds up, and when you enter the mine, there's water that comes out, and so it disturbs the mining area," Lemon said.
State officials say this situation is similar to a storm that would cause sediment to mobilize.
"The PH of the water downstream in the Animas, isn't the type of PH that would allow those metals to get released into the water column," said Lemon.
While there is no major health or environmental threat for those pulling from the Animas, state officials do want to make people aware in case they see something out of the ordinary.
"Discoloration could affect if you're recreating on the river, and just like the aesthetics of the water. Definitely, we wanted to alert any municipalities or drinking water systems," said Lemon.
State environmental leaders say the discoloration is contained to the Silverton, Colorado area and that it's unlikely New Mexicans will even see it.