Nestled in Colorado, Lake County is a go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts, boasting ski resorts, invigorating hiking trails, relaxing hot springs, and thrilling adventures. But rewind to the 19th century, and it paints a very different picture: a bustling mining district, centered in Leadville.
Gold might have kickstarted Lake County's mining reputation, but it was the silver rush of the late 1870s that truly put Leadville on the map. It wasn't long before the town was recognized globally as a top silver producer, drawing people from all over in hopes of striking it rich. Beyond silver, the county saw the extraction of gold, lead, zinc, copper, and magnesium, generating immense wealth throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. |
However, like many mining towns, prosperity didn't last forever. By the mid-20th century, as profits dwindled, mines shut down or were left abandoned. But they didn't just leave behind memories of a booming past; they left behind environmental challenges. Mining activities produced waste that flowed downstream, settling along the Upper Arkansas River. These waste patches, known as fluvial deposits, resulted in unhealthy soil conditions, marked by poor vegetation, acidity, and concentrated heavy metal accumulation. Some areas were so degraded that the deposits killed riverside vegetation, leading to increased erosion and exacerbating the area's problems.
Recognizing the environmental degradation caused by these abandoned mile lands, the EPA designated parts of the Leadville mining district as an EPA Superfund site in the 1980s. During the initial site evaluations, the EPA identified issues with the impact of heavy metals on the area’s surface water, ground water, and soils. Since the site was designated, successful projects throughout the region have improved the quality of life for people, have restored habitat for wildlife, and have stabilized and remediated soils for improved ecosystem health. Though incredible progress has been made, contaminated sites remain.
ARWC is partnering with Trout Unlimited (TU) to launch four restoration projects within Lake County. TU, with its impressive track record of reviving abandoned mine lands in the area, will lend its expertise to transform these spaces. Other project partners that will help us accomplish these goals include EPS, USGS, BLM, CODRMS, CDOT, and Lake County Open Space Initiative.
Recognizing the environmental degradation caused by these abandoned mile lands, the EPA designated parts of the Leadville mining district as an EPA Superfund site in the 1980s. During the initial site evaluations, the EPA identified issues with the impact of heavy metals on the area’s surface water, ground water, and soils. Since the site was designated, successful projects throughout the region have improved the quality of life for people, have restored habitat for wildlife, and have stabilized and remediated soils for improved ecosystem health. Though incredible progress has been made, contaminated sites remain.
ARWC is partnering with Trout Unlimited (TU) to launch four restoration projects within Lake County. TU, with its impressive track record of reviving abandoned mine lands in the area, will lend its expertise to transform these spaces. Other project partners that will help us accomplish these goals include EPS, USGS, BLM, CODRMS, CDOT, and Lake County Open Space Initiative.
Our Goal: To breath new life into wetlands, improve water quality, and rejuvinate the Upper Arkansas River!
Project Details
A Deep Dive: Hayden Meadows
Along the 11-mile stretch of the Arkansas River lies a legacy from the historic mining operations of the Leadville Mining District. Approximately 7 acres of land (approximately the footprint of a football stadium with parking) are marked by white, crystalline deposits known as fluvial tailings. Lacking any vegetation and laden with high metal concentrations, these deposits not only mar the beauty of the region but also pose significant risks through runoff and shallow groundwater discharge.
The Challenge:
The Hayden Meadows area, known for its winter elk sanctuary and as a hotspot for anglers, is threatened by these contaminations. The exposed tailings are prone to erosion, endangering both the environment and the recreational users of the area. There's also the looming threat of these contaminants leaking into the groundwater and the surrounding ecosystem, further impacting the ecosystem and the local population.
Our Strategy:
Building upon the success of previous efforts where in-situ phytostabilization (a fancy term for stabilizing contamination using soil amendments and plants) showed promising results, Trout Unlimited (TU) and its partners aim to replicate this success. The plan is to use proven techniques that have already rehabilitated over 100 acres of fluvial tailings across the state. The vision? Restore the soil and reintroduce native vegetation. This will not only enhance the beauty of the landscape but will also reduce harmful runoff into the river and control soil erosion. |
With its vast experience and collaboration with federal and state agencies, TU is well-equipped to tackle this challenge. The groundwork starts in 2023 beginning with soil sampling and test plots to determine the best methods for restoration and planting. Drawing from past successes and newer best practices, these test plots will guide the full-scale restoration set for late 2023-2024.
A Deep Dive: Sherman Mine
Approximately 8 miles northwest of Leadville lies the historic Sherman Mine, also known as Day Mines. This mine, resting at the foot of Mt Sherman, was active from 1968 to 1982, mainly extracting silver, lead, and zinc. Though reclamation efforts in 2008 aimed to restore the area, nature had other plans.
The Challenge:
The mine's vicinity, particularly the Iowa Gulch area, has faced challenges since its reclamation. Runoff and storms have caused erosion, destabilizing the channels and leading to the spread of waste rock. This has negatively impacted the sensitive wetland below the mine. One major concern is the threat posed to the Hayden Creek Cutthroat trout population in the region. These fish, vital to the ecosystem, have only two wild populations, making their preservation crucial. Current environmental conditions, especially the sediment, threaten their survival, despite recent efforts to bolster their numbers.
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Our Strategy:
To address these challenges, a combination of grouted riprap and boulders will be installed by Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (CDRMS) to fortify drainage channels, providing a lasting solution to the ongoing erosion and deposition downstream. Once the channel has been stabilized, the impacted wetland will be able to be restored. The outcome? A revitalized habitat for the native greenback trout and improved conditions for the endangered Hayden Creek Cutthroat trout. Plus, nature lovers can look forward to enhanced recreational fishing opportunities on BLM lands.
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A Deep Dive: Dinero Mine Tunnel
Five miles west of Leadville, within the Sugarloaf Mining District, lies the Dinero Tunnel. In 2009, a special barrier called a “bulkhead” was installed in the Dinero Mine tunnel to prevent acid mine drainage and other harmful substances from leaking into surrounding streams and wetlands. Proper functioning bulkheads can improve water quality coming from abandoned mine lands by re-establishing pre-mining flow paths and groundwater levels. Though the Dinero Mine tunnel bulkhead initially reduced metal concentrations found in the tunnel's water leakage, degraded water quality standards in nearby streams indicate contamination from the tunnel is once again impacting the area.
Our mission? To restore water resources entering Lake Fork Creek and bring back the thriving aquatic life to the Lake Fork, making it a haven for brown trout and a delight for the public.
Our mission? To restore water resources entering Lake Fork Creek and bring back the thriving aquatic life to the Lake Fork, making it a haven for brown trout and a delight for the public.
The Challenge:
Water quality issues are degrading nearby wetlands and streams including Lake Fork Creek, a direct tributary to the Arkansas River. Lake Fork Creek is currently home to a population of Brown trout, and biologists have hopes that if water quality improvements are made, Brook trout may move into the area. Unfortunately, improving the water quality in the area is no simple task. The network of intricate mine tunnels mixed with natural springs and complicated geology make understanding the water flow, and therefore which restoration treatments will be successful, difficult. Prior to any reclamation treatments, we need to better understand the inner workings of the hydrology in this area.
Our Strategy:
We're using cutting-edge passive treatment technology to enhance the water quality in the Dinero mine pool. Our first step will be to analyze representative samples throughout the area to identify the source of the contamination and to better understand the flow and composition of the water. Once we better understand the basics, we will develop treatment techniques best suited to solving the problems identified. Our plan is innovative and forward-thinking and ultimately, we hope to develop a method that can be applied in other areas where bulkheads aren't working as expected. It will take time to properly evaluate the site, and it’s only through great partnerships that we can accomplish this lofty goal.