Some farms in southern La Plata County are hurting without irrigation water for crops a week after 3 million gallons of polluted mine water flowed into the Animas River.
Hay farmer John Rehorn said the first quarter mile of Citizens’ Animas Ditch, an irrigation system that spans 6 miles along the river in southern La Plata County, is now polluted with heavy-metal sediment because the headgate couldn’t keep all the water out.
While many of the metals have settled to the bottom of the river, members on the ditch company’s board of directors are worried about long-term effects the metals could have on crops and livestock.
Without test results from the Environmental Protection Agency, farmers don’t know if the metals in the water and sediment could be absorbed into crops and enter the food chain.
“The EPA is almost purposely being vague about what’s in it and what they are going to do,” said Rehorn, a ditch board member.
Rehorn fears heavy storms will stir up heavy-metal tainted sediment along the riverbed, then wash the contaminants into the ditch.
“Will we have a toxic spike again?” he asked.
His neighbors, the Bonds family, raise cattle and produce corn for feed. Already, they are feeling the effects of having their ditch water shut off.
“Every day we’re losing money,” said Tom Bonds, an owner.
Without the irrigation water, the corn will likely be too high in nitrates to feed to their cattle. A high level of nitrates can sicken cattle.
The family also relies on water from a well a quarter mile from the river. They will not know the contents of the well for another eight days.
In fall, they will need the well water and irrigation water for their livestock. For now, their livestock is mostly grazing on federal land, but if the water doesn’t prove safe in autumn, it would put a burden on the family. The livestock would likely need about 15,000 gallons a day.
“It would be a full-time job hauling water,” said Troy Bonds.
The EPA has promised it will compensate businesses for revenue lost during the emergency. But the family has doubts the compensation would cover the extent of the potential loses that could be long-lasting.
For now, the Bonds, and other farmers are still waiting for answers about contamination levels.
“It’s a matter of a big, heavy concentration that alarms us,” Rehorn said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
