Theodore Roosevelt Island |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-2025. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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Tuesday, March 30, 1993 An estimated 350,000 gallons of number two fuel oil were released from a ruptured 36-inch pipe in Herndon, Virginia, on March 28th. Despite containment efforts, significant quantities of oil flowed overland into Sugarland Run, then into the Potomac River. The Great Falls area of George Washington Memorial Parkway was closed yesterday morning, the Tidal Basin near Jefferson Memorial was boomed off, and additional booms were requested for the Boundary Channel, Theodore Roosevelt Island and Dyke Marsh areas - all administered by the NPS. Impacts of the spill have not yet been ascertained. [Jake Hoogland, EQD/WASO, 3/29]
As of yesterday morning, the oil from Sunday's 350,000-gallon spill had flowed down the Potomac as far south as Alexandria, Virginia. The largest oil slick - about 100 yards long by 300 yards wide - was reported in the vicinity of Theodore Roosevelt Island, which is administered by George Washington Memorial Parkway. A light sheen of oil was also reported inside the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial; booms have been in place at the basin inlet since early afternoon on the 29th. Staffs from the parkway, C&O Canal and National Capital Parks are taking part in site evaluations along the river's shorelines and are searching for wildlife affected by the spill. Reports have been received of dead fish along the shoreline south of the District of Columbia, but none have been confirmed. A contract wildlife rehabilitator has been brought in; Sharon Taylor, an NPS veterinarian, is on scene and working with them. [John Howard, NCRO, 3/30]
Additional reports have been received regarding on-going hurricane and flood recovery efforts: o George Washington Parkway - The boardwalk, contact station and comfort station in the Roosevelt Island unit all suffered major damage, and the trail system will require complete rehabilitation. Other units of the park suffered extensive tree damage and shoreline erosion. The park's radio repeater system was also damaged. Preliminary damage estimates have now passed $1.5 million. [Greg Stiles, SHEN; Ann Childress, CVS, FOSU Group; Don Boucher, FMO, NCSO; Kevin FitzGerald, DR, CHOH]
Park staff mobilized quickly to protect park resources and visitors during the mid-March flooding along the Potomac River. Great Falls Park in Virginia and Theodore Roosevelt Island in D.C. (and adjacent parking in Virginia) were closed to address visitor safety concerns for several days starting on Saturday, March 13th. Park staff used sandbags to mitigate potential flooding at Great Falls Visitor Center and monitored trail and site conditions while on foot patrols. Staff informed the public about how flooding might affect recreational visits/commutes, asked people to respect closed areas, and suggested visitors remain observant for standing water, mud and obstructions on trails in the park. Flooding was expected due to heavy rainfall combined with snowmelt in the upper watershed of the Potomac River. Rising water carried extremely hazardous debris, trees, and man-made objects. High winds associated with the moving storm and water-logged soils caused concerns about the uprooting of trees and falling branches. Here's the current status of park facilities: Great Falls Park, Virginia - The park is open, but some trails are still closed due to fallen trees and flood debris. Fisherman's Eddy is closed until further notice due to flood debris. Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington, D.C. (and adjacent parking near Arlington, Virginia) - Open. Mount Vernon Trail - Open, but some sections of the 18.5-mile trail may still be covered by flood debris. Potomac Heritage Trail - This 10-mile trail is open, but sections may be muddy. For more information, call 703-289-2500. [Dana Dierkes, Public Affairs Officer] | |