Hardrock Mining in Rocky Mountain Terrain -- Upper Arkansas River, Colorado [Completed]

Mined watersheds in the Rocky Mountains are characterized by high altitudes, significant runoff and numerous contaminant sources dispersed through the watershed. Research on hardrock mining contamination in Rocky Mountain terrain is focused in the Arkansas River Basin. Acid mine drainage containing metals enter streams via runoff from mine wastes and tailings and ground-water pathways. The metals and acidic conditions are toxic to aquatic life. Scientists have studied contaminant source mechanisms, transport and transformation in streams, and how to use this knowledge to determine effective remedial strategies.

Related Science Feature Articles

• Mercury Concentrations in Streams Found to Go Through Daily Cycles
• Tracer Tests Steer Cleanup of Mined Watersheds
• Cleaning up Contamination in Hard Rock Mine Lands

More Information

• For additional information about please send contact Katie Walton-Day, USGS Colorado Water Science Center
• Upper Arkansas River Basin Home Page -- The Upper Arkansas research team maintains its own home page that contains additional information about the research site.
• Fact Sheet on the Use of Tracer Injections to Measure Metal Loading from Acid Mine Drainage in Streams
• Project Bibliography
• Project Photo Gallery
• One Dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage (OTIS): A Solute Transport Model for Rivers and Streams
• Metal Release, Transport, and Attenuation in Mined Areas: Mechanisms and Implications for Remediation and Land-Use Strategies

Project Remediation Related Activities

• Evaluating How Downstream Tailings Deposits Impact the Effectiveness of Remediation Plans

Other USGS Information on Acid Mine Drainage and Abandoned Mine Lands

• Pinal Creek Toxics Site
• Whitewood Creek Toxics Site
• USGS Abandoned Mine Lands Initiative
• USGS Mine Drainage Activities
• USGS Activities at the Summitville Mine, Colorado
• USGS Mineral Resource Surveys Program

Back to Watershed Contamination from Hard-Rock Mining Investigations

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