Cantara Loop Dunsmuir

Graphic California map showing the locations of Cantara spill

The Sacramento River from above.

A train accident caused a chemical tank car to fall into the Sacramento River, spilling 19,000 gallons of the herbicide metam sodium. The chemical impacts extended over 20 miles from the spill site to Lake Shasta.

  • LOCATION: Near Dunsmuir and along Sacramento River, Siskiyou and Shasta Counties
  • DATE: July 14, 1991
  • INCIDENT SUMMARY: A train accident caused a chemical tank car to fall into the Sacramento River, spilling 19,000 gallons of the herbicide metam sodium. The chemical impacts extended over 20 miles from the spill site to Lake Shasta.
  • RESPONSIBLE PARTY: Southern Pacific Railroad
  • NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEES: California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board; United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • RESOURCES IMPACTED: Instream habitat and wildlife (fish, amphibians, macroinvertebrates); riparian habitat; human recreational use.
  • SETTLEMENT DETAILS: The trustees settled the NRDA portion of the case for $14 million.
  • STATUS OF RESTORATION: Restoration, implemented through a grant program, is complete. See Final Report (below).

Available Documents

Disclaimer

This page only provides information related to habitat restoration efforts following the spill. For information related to personal or property injuries resulting from the spill, please contact link opens in new tab or windowUnion Pacific Railroad.

Contact

Michael Anderson
Email: Michael.Anderson@wildlife.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 375-6672

Last update : 7/25/2023 2:10:17 PM

Contact Us

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
(916) 445-0411 for General CDFW Information

Office of Spill Prevention and Response
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
(916) 375-8580 for OSPR Information

Report Oil Spills
(800) 852-7550 or (800) OILS-911

Email OSPR | Office Locations

Facebook  Twitter  YouTube  Instagram  Flickr