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Oil spill closes boat launches on Columbia River near Priest Rapids

By Tri-City Herald staff
Environmental clean-up crews from GrayMar Environmental who were contracted by the Washington State Department of Ecology to clean up the oil leak downstream from Priest Rapids Dam just south of the Vernita Bridge. The clean-up effort is expected to last for several days.
Environmental clean-up crews from GrayMar Environmental who were contracted by the Washington State Department of Ecology to clean up the oil leak downstream from Priest Rapids Dam just south of the Vernita Bridge. The clean-up effort is expected to last for several days. Scott Hunt Special to the Herald
Pasco, WA

Boat launches are closed on the stretch of the Columbia River between the Vernita Bridge and Pasco following an oil spill at Priest Rapids Dam.

The Washington Department of Ecology and Grant PUD estimate 240 gallons of mineral oil spilled into river during maintenance work on a turbine/generator unit at the dam, which is between the Yakima Firing Range and the Hanford nuclear site.

The spill happened Wednesday afternoon.

The Washington Department of Ecology and Grant PUD are responding to a mineral oil leak at Priest Rapids Dam.
The Washington Department of Ecology and Grant PUD are responding to a mineral oil leak at Priest Rapids Dam. J Craig Sweat

For the next several days, boaters are advised against entering the river while officials assess the situation and install a containment boom at the Vernita Bridge, which is about nine miles downriver from the dam.

“While these kinds of spills are rare, we do take them seriously,” said Jeff Grizzel, Grant PUD’s senior vice president of power and marketing operations, in a press release issued Thursday.

If you see wildlife covered with oil, you can report that to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, 800-222-4737.

This story was originally published December 4, 2025 at 11:04 AM.

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