Oil Spill Reported in Capitol Lake After I-5 Crash

Cleanup efforts underway to address motor oil and diesel in stormwater system

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:31pm

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The Washington Department of Ecology has reported an oil spill in Capitol Lake in Olympia, Washington, following a semi-truck accident on Interstate 5 on Wednesday. The spill occurred when motor oil and diesel entered the stormwater system that drains into the lake. Cleanup crews have been deployed to contain the spill and remove the oil from the lake and surrounding infrastructure.

Why it matters

Capitol Lake is a popular recreational area in Olympia, and an oil spill poses a risk to the local ecosystem and wildlife. The spill also highlights the potential environmental impact of transportation accidents and the importance of effective stormwater management systems.

The details

According to the Department of Ecology, the spill was caused by a two-semi-truck accident on I-5 on Wednesday. Motor oil and diesel from the accident entered the stormwater system and drained into Capitol Lake. Ecology has hired cleanup contractors to remove the oil from the stormwater system and place absorbent booms and sweeps around the area where I-5 crosses over the lake. The department believes the oil sheen on the surface of the lake is relatively small and non-recoverable, but they are continuing to monitor the situation and clean up the affected areas.

  • The oil spill was reported on Friday morning.
  • The semi-truck accident that caused the spill occurred on Wednesday.
  • Cleanup efforts began on Thursday and are expected to continue for a few days.

The players

Department of Ecology

The state agency responsible for environmental protection and natural resource management in Washington.

Republic Services

The cleanup contractor hired by the Department of Ecology to clean up the oil spill in Capitol Lake and the surrounding stormwater infrastructure.

Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

The state agency responsible for maintaining and managing the state's transportation infrastructure, including Interstate 5.

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What they’re saying

“We found motor oil in the stormwater system that drains into Capitol Lake that evening, and we placed absorbents in the drains as well as nearby stormwater pipes to capture as much as we could.”

— Brittny Goodsell, Communications Manager, Department of Ecology

“Today, the clean-up contractors will swap out and collect some emulsified oil that has accumulated in that spot that crosses over the lake.”

— Brittny Goodsell, Communications Manager, Department of Ecology

What’s next

The Department of Ecology will continue to monitor the situation and work with cleanup contractors to remove any remaining oil from Capitol Lake and the surrounding stormwater infrastructure.

The takeaway

This oil spill highlights the importance of effective stormwater management and the need for robust emergency response plans to mitigate the environmental impact of transportation accidents. The cleanup efforts in Capitol Lake demonstrate the state's commitment to protecting the local ecosystem and ensuring the safety of the community.