EAST KINGSTON, N.H. — A large hazmat response is underway after a mysterious sheen appeared on a river that runs through New Hampshire and Massachusetts on Monday morning.
The sheen was spotted on the Powwow River in East Kingston, New Hampshire, prompting a response from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, according to the East Kingston Fire Department.
“Booms have been set up...The sheen is widespread,” the fire department said in an afternoon update.
Water samples were collected, and officials are awaiting test results.
“Once the test results are known, we will advise,” the department said.
The public was urged to avoid swimming in the river until further notice.
There were no additional details immediately available.
The Powwow River is about 22.8 miles in length, flowing from Rockingham County in New Hampshire to Essex County in Massachusetts.
Large Haz-mat incident on the POW Wow. Many agencies including NH DES, Merrimac MA, SouthHampton, Newton, Newburyport....
Posted by East Kingston Fire Department on Monday, August 4, 2025
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