Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel and Treatment Plant Information

Portal, Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel

This Web site provides historical information about the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel as well as information about recent activities.

The Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel, completed in 1952, was built by the Bureau of Mines to drain off groundwater from portions of the Leadville Mining District. Reclamation acquired the tunnel in 1959, considering it a possible source of water for the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. Reclamation never actually used the tunnel as a source of water, but has closely monitored and managed the tunnel over the years. In 1991, Reclamation completed construction of a water treatment facility at the tunnel’s portal which treats the water flowing from the tunnel to a high enough quality to allow it to be discharged into the Arkansas River.

In February 2008 there was heightened local concern about the potential for a sudden release of water from the tunnel because of a buildup of groundwater in the Leadville Mining District. While Reclamation takes public concerns about the safety of the tunnel very seriously, it does not have scientific data at this time to support the contention that the tunnel is in imminent danger of failing. If conditions did change, there would be advance warning from extensive instrumentation which Reclamation has in and around the tunnel. An audible warning system was installed several years ago to alert residents immediately below the tunnel portal in the unlikely event of a sudden, large release of water.

To help alleviate recent public concerns about the safety of the tunnel, Reclamation is working closely with local, state and federal agencies on short-term concerns about the water buildup.

Since November 2007, Reclamation has been working on a risk assessment on the tunnel, with input from the EPA and the State of Colorado. We have accelerated the assessment and expect it to be complete by June 30, 2008. Current data and previous studies will be incorporated in the report and additional analyses will be conducted to test slope stability at the portal area and other reaches of the tunnel (see below).

• Available Documents Gathered by Reclamation to Support the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Assessment

• Overview of Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel (Multimedia Presentation) or Overview printable version

• Leadville Updates (telephone conferences) notes begin April 15, 2008 with newest notes first

• Community Safety Plan: The Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel and Treatment Plant

• Recent Work Accomplishments at Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel and Treatment Plant

• Geologic cross section along drainage tunnel with water surface data for January 2008 - posted by permission of EPA (large file)

• Ground water elevation update for March 2008 (large file)

• News Release: (03/11/08) - Reclamation Successfully Tests Water Treatment Plant at Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel

• News Release: (02/18/08) - "Reclamation to Conduct Siren Test at Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Friday."

• News Release: (02/15/08) -"Reclamation Partners with Lake County, Colorado and other Federal Agencies to Address Public Concerns at Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel."