Despite ongoing efforts to remove heavy metals from the Clark Fork River, a recent study indicates that the river could face a similar disaster in the future. The Smurfit-Stone site, a former pulp mill near Frenchtown, is storing toxic waste in unlined ponds within the floodplain. The eroding berm between the waste and the river poses risks to downstream communities.
To evaluate the risks and advocate for action, the Clark Fork Coalition and American Rivers commissioned a study by River Design Group. The study modeled various berm failure scenarios and highlighted the potential for thousands of tons of toxic waste to spill into the Clark Fork River if the berm breaches.
The study aimed to pressure the EPA to address the risk of berm failure more seriously. The EPA is overseeing the cleanup of the Smurfit-Stone site, which is not yet a designated Superfund site. The study predicts that berm failure is not a matter of if, but when.
“Berm failure is not a catastrophic event — it’s inevitable. It will happen.”
Andrew Gorder, Clark Fork Coalition
The study explored three berm failure scenarios at Smurfit-Stone: piping, breaching, and overtopping. Each scenario poses different risks, with the potential for catastrophic outcomes if the berm fails.
THE STUDY
According to the study, the berm is vulnerable to various failure scenarios, especially under projected future climate conditions. The risks of berm failure increase over time due to climate change, making immediate action essential to prevent a catastrophe.
POTENTIAL FOR A CATASTROPHE
Various flood scenarios could lead to berm failure and the release of toxic waste into the Clark Fork River. Despite the low probability of such events in a given year, the long-term risks are significant. The study underscores the need for immediate action to prevent a disaster.
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