EAST KINGSTON, N.H. (Aug. 4, 2025) — Firefighters and environmental officials responded Monday morning after a large sheen was reported on the surface of Pow Wow Pond, which flows into the Pow Wow River.

Crews from East Kingston, Newburyport, Mass., and other mutual aid partners set up containment booms while the Merrimac, Mass., Police Drone Unit surveyed the affected area. Additional support came from firefighters in South Hampton, Newton, Kingston and Amesbury, Mass.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was called in to test the material. Early results indicated the sheen appeared to be broken-down organic material and minerals, with no immediate threat to public health. Additional testing is being conducted to rule out petroleum products.

As a precaution, the DES Dam Bureau closed the dam at Pow Wow Pond to prevent the material from flowing downstream.

“We appreciate the community members who called in to report this situation,” Chief Ed Warren said. “It appears the material is not a threat to public health, but we will continue to work with NH DES to ensure that is the case and that appropriate steps are taken if anything harmful is identified.