Hydrologic Aspects of Remediation of Metal Mine Impacts on Upper Clark Fork Superfund Sites, Butte - Warm Springs, MT

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Route

Start point

Bozeman, MT

End point

Warm Springs Ponds

Roads

I-90, various roads and streets in the Butte area

Total distance

Geology

Summary

This road log concentrates on environmental impacts of historic mining activities in the Butte Mining District, particularly with regard to water quality. The trip decribes the general geology between Bozeman and Butte and provides a detailed overview of the geology, hydrogeology, mineralization, and mining history in the Butte district. Specific topics included in this field guide are: water quality changes in underground mines and the Berkeley Pit, impacts and remediation of mine tailings and processing plants (mills, smelters, and reduction plants), and groundwater contamination and remediation. Detailed information from geotechnical and hydrogeological studies related to these topics is included.

Key Lithologic Features

  • various geologic formations viewed from the road between Bozeman and Butte
  • mine waste products

Structures

Landforms

Other Features

  • hydrogeology of Butte Valley, as viewed from Granite Mountain Mine Overlook
  • various mining and environmental engineering projects in the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Superfund site

Reference

Duaine, T.E., Metesh, J.J., Bergantino, R.N., Burns, G., Yovich, M.J., Lee-Roark, C., Smart, E.W., and Ford, J.F., 1995, Hydrological aspects of remediation of metal mine impacts of Upper Clark Fork superfund sites, Butte - Warm Springs, MT: Field guide to geologic excursions in Southwest Montana , Northwest Geology, v. 24, p. 99-158.

Availability

Order from the Tobacco Root Geological Society. Go to the List of available TRGS publications for ordering information.