A REEXAMINATION OF THE
COEUR D'ALENE RIVER
SEPTEMBER 1971
By
Jack E. Sceva
William Schmidt
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION X
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
November 1971
-------
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT S 2
CONCLUSIONS 3
RECOMMENDATION A
LUCKY FRIDAY MINE AND MILL 5
MORNING MINE TUNNEL 8
HECLA MILL 11
DAYROCK MINE AND MILL 15
GALENA MINE AND MILL 19
CONSOLIDATED SILVER MINE 22
SUNSHINE AND CRESENT MINES 25
REED TUNNEL 29
BUNKER HILL OPERATIONS 32
COEUR D'ALENE RIVER 37
-------
LIST OF FIGURES
1 SKETCH MAP OF THE MULLAH AREA SHOWING THE LUCKY FRIDAY MINE
AND SAMPLING STATIONS 6
2 SKETCH MAP SHOWING SAMPLING STATIONS AT THE MORNING MINE
TUNNEL 9
3 SKETCH MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS ON CANYON
CREEK 12
4 SKETCH EP SHOWING LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS ON NINEMILE
CREEK 16
5 SKETCH MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS ON LAKE
CREEK . 20
6 SKETCH MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS AT THE
CONSOLIDATED SILVER MINE 23
7 SKETCH MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS ON BIG
CREEK 26
8 SKETCH MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS ON MILO
CREEK 30
9 SKETCH MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS AT THE
BUNKER HILL FACILITIES 34
10 MAP OF THE COEUR D'ALENE RIVER SHOWING THE LOCATION OF
SAMPLING STATIONS 38
-------
LIST OF TABLES
1 ANALYSIS 07 WATER AND EFFLUENT AT THE LUCKY FRIDAY MINE. . . 7
2 ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT AND WATER AT THE MORNING MINE
PORTAL NEAR MULLAN 10
3 ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT FROM THE HECLA TAILINGS PONDS AND
WATER IN CANYON CREEK 13
h ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT FROM THE DAYROCK TAILINGS POND AND
WATER IN NOEMILE CREEK 17
5 ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT FROM THE GALENA TAILINGS PONDS AND
WATER IN LAKE CREEK 21
6 ANALYSIS OF WATER AND EFFLUENT FROM THE CONSOLIDATED
SILVER MINE 24
7 ANALYSIS OF WATER IN BIG CREEK AND EFFLUENTS FROM
THE SUNSHINE AND CRESENT MINES 27
8 ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT FROM REED TUNNEL AND WATER IN
MILO CREEK 31
9 ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENTS FROM BUNKER HILL FACILITIES
AND SILVER KING CREEK 35
10 ANALYSIS OF WATER FROM THE COEUR D'ALENE RIVER FROM
ABOVE MULLAN TO ROSE LAKE 39
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INTRODUCTION
The Environmental Protection Agency has periodically examined
the quality of the Coeur d'Alene River to determine the effects of
mine and mill wastes. This examination was conducted on September
22 and 23, 1971 as a supplement to the examination and report of May
1970 1/.
In the 1971 survey, samples were collected in the Coeur d'Alene
River and its tributaries above and below all major mine and mill
discharges. Samples of the wastes from the various mines and mills
were also collected for analyses.
The quantity of metals being discharged and the quantities being
carried by the streams at various monitoring stations have been cal-
culated from streamflow data supplied by the U. S. Geological Survey
or from flows measured by current meter.
The data is presented for each mining area in downstream order,
starting with the Lucky Friday mine and mill at Mullan to the Bunker
Hill operations at Kellogg. The analytical data and loading informa-
tion for the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River are given on
Table 10.
1/ Report on Coeur d'Alene River Survey, May 12-17, 1970.
Environmental Protection Agency
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to acknowledge and thank the following mining companies
and their staff for their help and cooperation in making this survey:
Day Mines Inc.
Hecla Mining Co.
American Smelting and Refining Co.
Sunshine Mining Co.
The Bunker Hill Co.
2
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CONCLUSIONS
1. The Bunker Hill operations at Kellogg and Smelterville are by
far, the largest source of metals being discharged to the Coeur
d'Alene River.
2. The operations at the Lucky Friday, Dayrock, Consolidated
Silver, Galena, Cresent, Sunshine Mines and the Hecla Mill have
relatively minor effects on the Coeur d'Alene River but they do
have some effect on tributary streams.
3. Ground water percolating through old tailings in the Canyon,
Ninemile and Coeur d'Alene valleys dissolves substantial quantities
of zinc and has a major effect on water quality in the Coeur d'Alene
River Basin.
4. Raw sewage discharged to the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River and
its tributaries appears to be a very serious public health problem.
5. The recent diversion of mercury laden waste streams at the
Bunker Hill Zinc Plant to the Central Impoundment Area has been
effective in removing most of the mercury from the Bunker Hill
effluent.
3
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RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The "Cleaning Up" of the Bunker Hill waste streams and the
elimination of all raw sewage discharges should be our No. 1
priority for improving water quality in the Coeur d'Alene River
Basin.
2. A survey is needed to determine the magnitude of bacteria con-
tamination in the River.
4
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LUCKY FRIDAY MINE AND MILL
The Lucky Friday Mine and Mill are located on the Northside of
the Coeur d'Alene Valley just east of Mullan, and are operated by
the Hecla Mining Company.
The mine waste, which includes both mine water and the waste
from the sand filling operation is discharged into Gold Hunter Creek,
which is tributary to the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene. The flow
of the mine waste at the time of our examination was about .6 cfs.
The mill wastes are piped to a tailings pond located just west
of Mullan. The overflow from this pond normally discharges into the
South Fork, but at the time of this examination there was no overflow
due to the recent raising of the pond's decant pipe.
Figure 1 is a sketch map showing the location of the facilities
and sampling stations in the Mullan area. The analytical data are
given on Table 1.
5
-------
N
A
South Fork
Below Lucky
Friday Pond.
(2239004)
Tailings Pond
(AULI^
x
01
-------
TABLE 1
ANALYSIS OF WATER AND EFFLUENT AT THE
LUCKY FRIDAY MINE
September 23, 1971
Parameter
Water Supply
Lucky Friday
Mill
(2239023)
Mine
Effluent
(2239024)
Gold Hunter
Creek Above
Mine Effluent
(2239025)
Gold Hunter
Creek Below
Mine Effluent
(2239026)
Conductivity, uMHO
pH
Antimony, Total,ug/1
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
Cadmium, Total,ug/1
Chromium, Total, ug/1
Copper, Total,ug/1
Lead, Total, ug/1
Mercury, Total,ug/1
Zinc, TotaljUg/1
Flow, cfs
110 740 225 440
6.6 7.6 7.0 7.6
30 110 50 80 (1)
5 21 <5 14
12 1 1
4 7 4 5
32 27 23 20
5 3,500 12 530 (7)
5 5 5 5
70 190 25 88 (1)
.6 2.6
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
MORNING MINE TUNNEL
The Morning Mine is a large mine operated by the Hecla Mining
Company. One portal is located along the north side of the Coeur
d'Alene Valley just west of Mullan. Mine water is discharged to
Slaughterhouse Creek, a small tributary to the South Fork of the
Coeur d'Alene River. The combined flow of the mine water and
Slaughterhouse Creek at the time of our examination was about .3 cfs.
Ore from the Morning Mine is hauled through underground workings
to the portal at Burke where it is processed at the Hec'la Mill.
Figure 2 shows the location of sampling stations at the
Morning Mine portal near Mullan. The analytical data is given on
Table 2.
8
-------
Lucky Friday Tailings
Pond and Above Morning
Mine (2239004)
FIGURE 2
SKETCH MAP SHOWING SAMPLING
STATIONS AT THE MGRNIUG MINE TUNNEL
9
-------
TABLE 2
ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT AND WATER AT THE MORNING
MINE PORTAL NEAR MULLAN
September 23, 1971
Effluent
From Mine
Tunnel
(2239028)
Slaughterhouse
Gulch Creek
Above Mine Effluent
(2239029)
Slaughterhouse
Gulch Creek
Below Mine Effluent
(2239030)
Conductivity^, uMHO
pH
Antimony, Total,ug/1
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
Cadmium, Total, ug/1
Chromium, Total, ug/1
Copper, Total,ug/1
Lead, Total, ug/1
Mercury, Total,ug/1
Zinc, Total, ug/1
Flow, cfs
420
7.3
70
45
8
5
11
225
1
700
200
7.2
70
< 5
2
5
2
9
1
250
330
7.0
50
< 5
6
5
10
330 (.5)
.5
690 (1)
.3
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
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HECLA MILL
Ore from the Star and Horning Mines is hauled through under-
ground workings to the Hecla Mill located on Canyon Creek at Burke.
The mill water supply is diverted from Canyon Creek above Burke,
and the mill wastes are piped some six miles down the valley to
three large tailings ponds. The overflow from these ponds is dis-
charged into Canyon Creek-
Above Burke, Canyon Creek is a clear mountain stream. Below
Burke, the bottom and banks are red with iron stain. The source of
the iron is believed to come from acid mine water from the abandoned
Hecla Mine at Burke. Samples from Canyon Creek above and below
Burke show a significant increase in iron in this reach of the
stream.
Old mill tailings underlie a large part of the valley floor
below Burke. Ground water flowing through these materials pick up
substantial quantities of zinc which is discharged into Canyon Creek.
The effluent from the Hecla tailings ponds has a lower zinc concen-
tration than the adjacent stream.
The sampling stations along Canyon Creek are shown on Figure 3
and the analytical data are given on Table 3.
11
-------
K
Tailings -»*
Ponds
0
Canyon Creek
Above Kecla Mill
(2239032) _
/\
A
Water Supply
>(2239031)
Hecla Mill
&
Qj
Canyon Creek Below
Hecla Mill
(2239033)
/
C?
Canyon Creek
\bove Hecla Tailings Ponds
><-(2239034)
Effluent
(2239035)
Canyon Creek
Below Tailings Ponds
(2239036)
At Wallace Above Canyon
Creek (2239006)
At Wallace Below
Canyon Creek (2239007)
Coeu* d'M**
WALLACE
FIGURE 3
SKETCH. MAP SHOWING LOCATION
OF SAMPLING STATIONS ON
CANYON CREEK
12
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TABLE 3
ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT FROM THE HECLA TAILINGS PONDS
AND WATER IN CANYON CREEK
September 22, 1971
Parameter
Water Supply
Hecla Mill
(2239031)
Canyon Creek
Above Hecla
Mill
(2239032)
Canyon Creek
Below Hecla
Mill
(2239033)
Conductivity, uMHO
25
80
108
pH
6.7
6.9
6.7
Antimony, Tota^ug/1
25
40
50
Arsenic, Total^ug/1
< 5
< 5
« 5
Cadmium, Total,ug/1
1
1
2
Chromium, Total,ug/1
3
3
3
Copper, Total, ug/1
2
2
2
Iron, Total,ug/1
250 (7)
o
o
o
Lead, Total,ug/1
< 5
14 (.4)
48 (1.5)
Mercury, Total, ug/1
.5
*.5
*.5
Zinc, Total,ug/1
18
62
160 (5)
Flow, cfs
5
6
(Load In pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
TABLE 3 - continued
ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT FROM THE HECLA TAILINGS PONDS
AND WATER IN CANYON CREEK
September 22, 1971
Paremeter
Canyon Creek
Above Hecla
Tailings Ponds
(2239034)
Effluent from
Tailings Ponds
(2239035)
Canyon Creek
Below Tailings
Ponds
(2239036)
Canyon Creek
at Mouth
(2239037)
Conductivity, uMHO
pH
Antimony, TotaljUg/1
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
Cadmium, Total, ug/1
Chromium, Total,ug/1
Copper, Total, ug/'l
Iron, Total., ug/1
Lead, Total,ug/1
Mercury, Total,ug/1
Zinc, Total^ ug/1
Flow, cfs
130
6.9
40
* 5
11
3
3
1.050 (50)
140
< .5
1.630 (78)
610
6.9
80
<. 5
4
6
1050 (15)
195
< .5
780 (11)
2.6
200
6.8
30
< 5
13
3
125 (8)
140
< .5
1850 (120)
12
220
6.5
40
< 5
35
3
145 (12)
170
* .5
5.000 (400)
15
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
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DAYROCK MINE AND'KILL
The Dayrock Mine and Mill are operated by Day Mines Inc. and
are located on Ninemile Creek some 3 miles north of Wallace. The
mine is located just below the confluence of the East and West Fork.
The mill water supply comes from a small reservoir on the West
Fork. Most of the water used in the mill is diverted from the East
Fork into the reservoir. The mill wastes are discharged into a
tailings pond located just east of the mill. Effluent from the
tailings pond is discharged to Ninemile Creek.
The East Fork of Ninemile Creek contains a high concentration of
zinc. The source is not definitely known, but is believed to be
contributed by ground water percolating through old mill tailings
that underlie the valley floor upstream from the Dayrock Mine. The
waste from the Dayrock tailings pond have a lower concentration of
zinc than the receiving stream.
Since most of the mine wastes have been removed from Ninemile
Creek, the effects of the raw sewage discharge is plainly visible
in the stream. The water is relatively clear but the stream bottom
has a bright green color, from apparently algae growth. It is very
possible that the removal of the mining waste is creating a public
health problem as the streams may now support bacteria that were
formally limited due to the toxic nature of the stream. The condition
of Ninemile Creek makes it obvious that the elimination of all raw
discharges is absolutely necessary.
The location of the sampling stations are shown on Figure 4 and
the analytical data are given on Table A.
15
-------
OF SAMPLING STATIONS ON NINEMILE CREEK
16
-------
TABLE 4
ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT FROM THE DAYROCK TAILINGS POND
AND WATER IN NINEMILE CREEK
September 22, 1971
Parameter
East Fork
Ninemile Creek at
Intake to Dayrock
Pond
(2239038)
West Fork
Ninemile Creek above
Dayrock Pond
(2239039)
Water Supply
from
Dayrock Pond
(2239040)
Conductivity, uMHO
pH
Antimony, Total, ug/1
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
Cadmium, Total,ug/1
Chromium, Total^ug/1
Copper, Total,ug/1
Lead, Total,ug/1
Mercury, Total, ug/1
Zinc, Tota^ug/1
FloWjCfs
126
6.8
« 25
< 5
A3
3
22 (.5)
290 (6)
< .5
6.800 (143)
3.9
265
7.4
40
< 5
1
3
1
9
.5
14
.3
200
6.8
30
< 5
17
3
5
115
<. .5
3200
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
TABLE 4 continued
ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT FROM THE DAYROCK TAILINGS POND
AND WATER IN NINEMILE CREEK
September 22, 1971
Parameter
Ninemile Creek
Above Dayrock
Mill
(2239041)
Effluent From
Dayrock
Tailings Pond
(2239042)
Ninemile Creek
lie low Dayrock
Tailings Pond
(2239043)
Ninemile Creek
At
Mouth
(2239044)
Conductivity, uMHO
PH
Antimony, Total^ug/1
Arsenic, Total,ug/1
Cadmium, Total,ug/1
Chromium, Total,ug/1
Copper, TotaljUg/1
Lead, Total^ug/l
Mercury, Total,ug/1
Zinc, Total^ug/l
FloWjCfs
130
6.5
25
5
43
4
18 (.4)
285 (6)
< .5
5800 (143)
3.9
408
7.2
80
< 5
4
4
6
230 (.1)
< .5
500 (.2)
.1
158
6.5
30
< 5
43
3
17 (.4)
315 (7)
< .5
6,800 (143)
3.9
155
6.5
30
< 5
33
3
10 (.3)
230 (6)
<.5
5200 (140)
5
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
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GALENA MINE AND MILL
The Galena Mine and Mill are located on Lake Creek just west
of Wallace and are operated by the American Smelting and Refining Co.
The mill water supply comes from Lake Creek and is diverted
above the mill. The mine water and mill wastes are discharged into
one of four tailings ponds located in the Lake Creek Valley below
the mill. The effluent from these ponds can be pumped back to the
mill for reuse in watershort periods. Normally however, the effluent
flows through two small clarifying ponds prior to its return to Lake
Creek.
The location of the sampling stations at the Galena Mill and on
Lake Creek are shown on Figure 5 and the analytical data are given
on Table 5.
19
-------
Water Supply (Tank)
(2239045)
\
H
Tailing Ponds
Effluent from Pond
(2239048)
Galena Mine and Mill
Lake Creek
Above Tailings Pond
V (2239046)
Lake Creek at Reuse
Pumping Station
(2239047)
Lake Creek at Mouth
(2239049)
South Fork Above ^
Lake Creek (2239009)
Coeur d'Alene^O Rivei
South Fork below
Lake Creek (2239010)
FIGURE 5
SKETCH MAP SHOWING LOCATION
OF SAMPLING STATIONS ON LAKE CREEK
20
-------
TABLE 5
ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT FROM THE GALENA TAILINGS PONDS AND
WATER IN LAKE CREEK
September 22, 1971
Parameter
Water Supply
Galena Mill
(2239045)
Lake Creek
Below Mill
(2239046)
Lake Creek
At Reuse
Pumping Station
(2239047)
Effluent
From
Clarifier
(2239048)
Lake Creek
At
Mouth
(2239049)
Conductivity, uMHO
pH
Antimony, Total,ug/1
Arsenic, Total,ug/1
Cadmium, Total,ug/1
Chromium, Total,ug/1
Copper, Total, ug/1
Lead, Total,ug/1
Mercury, Total^ug/1
Zinc, Total^ug/1
Flow^cfs
70
6.3
50
1
3
10
5
.5
190
6.2
23
2
3
46
7
.5
200
280
6.6
60
5
1
3
5
12
.5
84
400
6.7
90
25
1
3
320
7
.5
42
340
6.2
50
6
1
3
60 (.4)
7
.5
74 (.5)
1.2
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
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CONSOLIDATED SILVER MINE
The Hecla Mining Company is undertaking exploration work at the
Consolidated Silver Mine. The mine is located along the south side
of the Coeur d'Alene Valley near Osborn. There is an old mill at
the nine but it is not in use.
The waste from this operation consists of mine water and sani-
tary wastes from the mine office and showers. The water supply
comes from wells located on the valley floor north of the mine.
The wastes are piped north across the Coeur d'Alene Valley
and are discharged into the South Fork opposite the mouth of
Terror Gulch.
The location of the sampling stations are shown on Figure 6 and
the analytical data are given in Table 6. The effluent, which is
largely mine water, has a lower concentration of inetals than the
ground water pumped from the valley.
22
-------
FIGURE 6
SKETCH MAP SHOWING LOCATION
OF SAMPLING STATIONS AT THE
CONSOLIDATED SILVER MINE
23
-------
TABLE 6
ANALYSIS OF WATER AND EFFLUENT FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED SILVER MINE
September 22, 1971
Water Supply Effluent From
Parameter From Wells Mine and Facilities
(2239050). (2239051)
Conductivity, uMHO 180 160
pH 6.5 6.5
Antimony, Totalyug/l 30 40
Arsenic, Total,ug/1 <5 <5
Cadmium, Total, ug/1 1 1
Chromium, Total,ug/1 3 2
Copper, Total,ug/1 22 4
Lead, Total, ug/1 22 7
Mercury, Total,ug/1 < .5 < .5
Zinc, Total, ug/1 1000 18
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SUNSHINE AND CRESENT MINES
The Sunshine Mining Company operates the Sunshine Mine and Mill
on Big Creek approximately 3 miles south east of Kellogg. The water
supply for the mill is diverted from Big Creek and the effluent from
the nill is piped to a large tailings pond located near the mouth of
Big Creek. The waste is highly alkaline and is treated with
"Separan" to improve its settling characteristics.
The tailings pond effluent is discharged into Big Creek about
a thousand feet above the mouth. There is also considerable leakage
through the dike and this waste stream discharges into Big Creek
near the mouth.
The Cresent Mine is located between the Sunshine Mine and the
Sunshine Tailings Pond. It is operated by the Bunker Hill Company.
The ore from the Cresent Mine is milled at the Bunker Hill Mill at
Kellogg, but mine water is discharged into Big Creek at the mine.
The location of the sampling stations are shown on Figure 7 and
the analytical data are given in Table 7.
25
-------
S. Fork Below Big Creek S. Fk. ^q
<-""(2239014) *0 Above Big Creek(2239013)
South Fork
Coeur d'Alene
Big Creek At Mouth
(2239059)
Effluent from Sunshine ..
Tailings Pond (2239057)
Cresent Mine
Effluent from
Cresent Mine
(2239054)
Leakage from Sunshine
Tailings Pond (2239058)
Sunshine Tailings Pond
Big Creek Above Sunshine
Tailings Pond
Big Creek Below Cresent Mine (2239055)
Big Creek Below Sunshine and Above
Cresent Mine (2239053)
SUNSHINE MINE AND MILL
Big Creek Above Sunshine Mine
? (2239052)
FIGURE 7
SKETCH MAP SHOWING LOCATION
OF SAMPLING STATIONS ON BIG CREEK
26
-------
TABLE 7
ANALYSIS OF WATER IN BIG CREEK AND EFFLUENTS
FROM THE SUNSHINE AND CRESENT MINES
September 22, 1971
Big Creek
Big Creek
Above
Below Sunshine
Big Creek
Parameter
Sunshine
and Above
Effluent From
Below
Mine
Cresent Mine
Cresent Mine
Cresent Mine
(2239052)
(2239053)
(2239054)
(2239055)
Conductivity, uMHO
60
64
195
70
PH
6.4
6.2
6.4
6.5
Antimony, Total, ug/1
25
40
160
30
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
< 5
< 5
49
< 5
Cadmium, Total,ug/1
1
1
1
1
Chromium, Total, tig/1
2
2
5
3
Copper, Total,ug/1
2
2
470
13
Lead, Total, ug/1
5
5
60
5
Mercury, Total, ug/1
* .5
< .5
< .5
« .5
Zinc, Total,ug/l
14
24
90
12
Flow,, cfs
14
1
(Load in
pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
TABLE 7 continued
ANALYSIS OF WATER IN BIG CREEK AND EFFLUENTS
FROM THE SUNSHINE AND CRESENT MINES
September 22, 1971
Parameter
Big Creek
Above Sunshine
Tailings Pond
(2239056)
Effluent from
Sunshine
Tailings Pond
(2239057)
Leakage
From Sunshine
Tailings Pond
(2239058)
Big Creek
At
Mouth
(2239059)
Conductivity, uMHO
PH
Antimony, Total, ug/1
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
Cadmium, Total, ug/1
Chromium, TotalyUg/1
Copper, Total*ug/1
Lead, Total, ug/1
Mercury, Totalyug/l
Zinc, Total,ug/1
Flow^ cf s
85
6.2
30
5
« 1
3
4
< 5
< .5
10
> 1;000
10
14,500 (7)
}000 (1.5)
< 1
6
39
20
3
98
> 1,000
8.6
15,500 (25)
2960 (5)
1
6
4
9
* .5
19
.3
205
6.9
650 (56)
200 (17)
1
4
4
< 5
< .5
10
16
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
REED TUNNEL
The Upper workings of the Bunker Hill Mine are operated by way
of the Reed Tunnel located along Milo Creek above Uardner . The ore
is processed at Kellogg but mine water is discharged to Milo Creek
at the mine.
During our examination, the entire flow of Milo Creek was
diverted above the Reed Tunnel for domestic use. The flow of Milo
Creek flowing through Wardner came almost entirely from Reed
Tunnel. In its passage through town the flow is augmented by
numerous raw sewage discharges that dilute the concentration of
metals in the stream.
Milo Creek is highly acid and the bed is iron stained. The
stream appears to be toxic to algae and may also be toxic to some
bacteria.
29
-------
FIGURE 8
SKETCH MAP SHOWING LOCATION
OF SAMPLING STATIONS ON
MILO CREEK
30
-------
TABLE 8
ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENT FROM REED TUNNEL
AND WATER IN MILO CREEK
Parameter
Milo Creek
Above Reed
Tunnel
(2239067)
Mine Water
From Reed
Tunnel
(2239066)
Milo Creek
Below Reed
Tunnel
(2239068)
Milo Creek
at Mouth
(2239060)
Conductivity, uMHO
PH
Antimony, Total, ug/1
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
Cadmium, Total,ug/1
Chromium, Total, ug/1
Copper, Total,ug/1
Lead, To tal, ug/1
Mercury, Total^ug/l
Zinc, Total, ug/1
Flow, cf s
20
6.1
60
« 5
< 1
3
7
14
< .5
52
475
3.2
60
74
54
4
60
2,500
3
18,800
380
3.3
50
72
44
5
51
2500
2.5
14,000
160
5.5
30
« 5
14
4
10
365
< .5
5,000 (32)
1.2
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
BUNKER HILL OPERATIONS
The Bunker Hill Company operates a mine, a mill, a lead smelter,
a zinc plant, a sulfuric acid plant, and a fertilizer plant in the
Kellogg-Snelterville area. This complex has three major effluent
streams: (1) the effluent from the Central Impoundment area which
is discharged directly to the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River,
(2) the zinc plant effluent which is discharged to Silver King Creek
in Government Gulch and (3) the lead smelter effluent, which is also
discharged into Silver King Creek.
The Central Impoundment Area receives waste from the mine, the
mill, and the fertilizer plant. One waste stream from the zinc plant
was recently diverted to the impoundment area to reduce mercury
discharges.
During this survey, mine water from the Kellogg Tunnel was
temporarily bypassing the impoundment area while a new pipe from the
mine was being installed. This waste stream was being discharged in-
to the South Fork via Bunker Creek.
The impoundment area does an excellent job in removing the sus-
pended material from the waste and in reducing mercury discharges.
The analysis for this waste stream in Table 9 is from a 24-hour com-
posite and shows about .1 pound per day of mercury being discharged
from the source. In contrast, this waste stream is a major contrib-
utor of Einc to the South Fork. The same composite sample showed
more than 5000 pounds per day of zinc in this waste stream.
32
-------
The lead smelter waste is discharged to Silver King Creek by
way of Sweeney Pond. Silver King Creek above Sweeney Pond is
essentially a waste stream from the zinc plant. Analysis of the
effluent from Sweeney Pond and Silver King Creek above Sweeney Pond
are given on Table 9. This shows that about 4000 pounds per day of
zinc is contributed to the South Fork from Bunker Hill operations
along Silver King Creek.
33
-------
S. Fcr'c at I'SGS Gage S. Fork Below
(2239019) Central Impoundment
Area (2239013)
S. Fork Above
Central Impoundment
Area (2239017)
Silver King Creek
Above Sweeney Pond and
Below Zinc Plant
Mine
Zinc Plant
~
Note: At time of this exami-
nation, the mine water
temporarily being dis-
charged to Bunker Creek
Silver King Creek above Zinc Plant
(2239065)
FIGURE 9
SKETCH MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF
SAMPLING STATIONS AT THE
BUNKER HILL FACILITIES
34
-------
TABLE 9
ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENTS FROM BUNKER HILL FACILITIES
AND SILVER KING CREEK
September 23, 1971
Parameter
Effluent from
Central Impoundment
Area
(2239061)
Bunker Creek
at Mouth
(2239069)
Silver King
Creek Above
Zinc Plant
(2239065)
Conductivity, uMHO
pH
Antimony, Total, ug/1
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
Cadmium, Total, ug/1
Chromium, Total^ ug/1
Copper, Total, ug/1
Lead, Total, ug/1
Mercury, Total, ug/1
Zinc, Total,ug/1
FloWjCfs
> 1^000
2.5
200 (7)
340 (11)
1,020 (34)
140 (5)
690 (23)
2500 (84)
3 (.1)
150,000 (}025)
6.2
> 1,000
4.5
80
'^60
70
18
470
5/)00
26,500
45
6.3
25
< 5
1
3
1
9
.5
75
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
TABLE 9 continued
ANALYSIS OF EFFLUENTS FROM BUNKER HILL FACILITIES
AND SILVER KING CREEK
September 23, 1971
Silver King Creek
Below Zinc Plant
And Above Sweeney Effluent From Silver King
Parameter Pond Sweeney Pond Creek at Mouth
(2239063) (2239062) (2239064)
Conductivity, uMHO
> 1,000
190
850
pH
2.
6
6.
3
3.
3
Antimony, Total, ug/1
80
(2.6)
80
(2.5)
100
(9)
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
34
(1)
50
(1.5)
58
(5)
Cadmium, Total, ug/1
1600
(52)
380
(12)
760
(68)
Chromium, Total, ug/1
14
(.4)
4
(.1)
10
(1)
Copper, Total, ug/1
690
(22)
40
(1.3)
175
(16)
Lead, Total, ug/1
1,200
(29)
^350
(73)
3,000
(272)
Mercury, Total, ug/1
7
(.2)
2.
¦5 (.1)
5
(.4)
Zinc, Total, ug/1
138,000
(4,460)
7,100
(221)
42,500
(3850)
Flow^ cfs
6
5.
.8
16.
.8
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
SOUTH FORK COEUR D'ALENE RIVER
Nineteen points along the Coeur d'Alene River from above Mullan
to Rose Lake were sampled for analyses. The analytical data for
these samples are given in Table 10 and their location is shown on
Figure 10,
Zinc is the most prevalent metal in the South Fork. The first
major contribution of zinc comes from Canyon Creek at Wallace where
some 400 pounds per day is contributed to the stream. The South
Fork picks up another 400 pounds per day between Wallace and Kellogg,
chiefly from ground water contributions. At Kellogg, some 11,000
pounds per day are contributed by the Bunker Hill operations. The
zinc stays in solution and is diluted by the flow from the North Fork.
The loading of various other metals were computed at the USGS
gaging station at Smelterville. They show approximately 80 pounds
per day of antimony, 92 pounds per day of arsenic, 90 pounds per day
of cadmium, 8 pounds per day of chromium, 60 pounds per day of
copper, 770 pounds per day of lead, and 1/2 pound per day of mercury.
The load of copper, lead and mercury decreases downstream from
Smelterville and the load of antimony, cadmium, and chromium in-
creases downstream, probably from ground water inflow.
37
-------
FIGURE 10
MAP OF THE COEUR D'ALENE RIVER SHOWING THE
LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS
-------
TABLE 10
ANALYSIS OF WATER FROM THE COEUR D'ALENE
RIVER FROM ABOVE MULLAN TO ROSE LAKE
September 22, 1971
Parameter
Above
Mullan
(2239001)
At Mullan
Below Discharge
From Lucky
Friday Mine
(2239002)
At Mullan
Above Lucky
Friday Tailings
Pond
(2239003)
Below Lucky
Friday Tailings
Pond and Above
Morning Mine
(2239004)
Conductivity, uMHO
95
125
115
120
PH
6.9
8.0
8.2
7.7
Antimony, Total^ug/1
30
30
30
40
Arsenic, Total,ug/1
< 5
« 5
< 5
< 5
Cadmium, Total, ug/1
1
1
1
1
Chromium, Total^ug/1
2
2
2
1
Copper, Total,ug/1
5
5
5
3
Lead, Total, ug/1
7
27
33
12
Mercury, Tota^ug/1
< .5
< .5
« .5
< .5
Zinc, Totalj ug/1
9
27
39
60
Flow, cfs
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
TABLE 10 continued
ANALYSIS OF WATER FROM THE COEUR D'ALENE
RIVER FROM ABOVE MULLAN TO ROSE LAKE
September 22, 1971
At Wallace
Below
At Wallace
Below Canyon Creek
Below Mouth
Morning
Above Mouth
and Above
of Ninemile
Parameter
Mine
of Canyon Creek
Ninemile Creek
Creek
(2239005)
(2239006)
(2239007)
(2239008)
Conductivity, uMHO
135
125
170
170
pH
7.9
8.1
7.8
7.5
Antimony, Total, ug/1
40
40 (6)
40
40
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
« 5
* 5
< 5
< 5
Cadimum, Total, ug/1
1
1
13
14
Chromium, Total,ug/1
1
1
1
3
Copper, Total,ug/1
3
3 (.5)
39
51
Lead, Total, ug/1
17
14
48
90
Mercury, Total, ug/1
< .5
< -5
«. .5
< .5
Zinc, Total, ug/1
210
300 (49)
1,800
2^00
Flow, cfs
30
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
TABLE 10 continued
ANALYSIS OF WATER FROM THE COEUR D'ALENE RIVER
FROM ABOVE MULLAN TO ROSE LAKE
September 22, 1971
Parameter
Above Mouth Below Mouth
of Of
Lake Creek Lake Creek
(2239009) (2239010)
Above
Consolidated
Silver Mine
(2239011)
Below
Consolidated
Silver Mine
(2239012)
Conductivity, uMHO
pH
Antimony, Total, ug/1
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
Cadmium, Total^ug/l
Chromium, Total, ug/1
Copper, Total;ug/1
Lead, Total, ug/1
Mercury, Total, ug/1
Zinc, Totaljug/1
Flow,cfs
180 180
6.4 6.4
30 (9) 40
<5 <5
11 (3) 10
1 3
35 (10) 38
61 (18) 82
.5 « .5
^550 (451) 1,450
54
155
8.1
40 (18)
< 5
7 (3)
2 (1)
37 (17)
150 (69)
<5
900 (412)
85
165
6.9
30
< 5
8
4
37
155
<.5
900
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
TABLE 10 continued
ANALYSIS OF WATER FROM THE COEUR D'ALENE RIVER
FROM ABOVE MULLAN TO ROSE LAKE
September 22, 1971
Above Bunker Below Bunker
Above Mouth Below Mouth Hill Impoundment Hill Impoundment
Parameter of Big Creek of Big Creek Facility Facility
(2239013) (2239014) (2239017) (2239018)
Conductivity, uMHO
165
180
290
600
pH
6.5
6.7
6.5
4.7
Antimony, Total, ug/1
40
100 (54)
60
130
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
< 5
56 (30)
21
44
Cadmium, Total, ug/1
14
9 (5)
15
80
Chromium, Total,ug/1
3
3 (1.6)
2
11
Copper, Total,ug/1
27
18 (10)
24
65
Lead, To tal> ug/1
66
48 (26)
75
360
Mercury, Total, ug/1
< .5
< .5
<.5
<- .5
Zinc, Total;ug/1
2300
u>
o
x-s
00
00
o
1700
/
13,600
Flow, cf s
100
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
-------
TABLE 10 continued
ANALYSIS OF WATER FROM THE COEUR D'ALENE RIVER
FROM ABOVE MULLAN TO ROSE LAKE
September 22, 1971
Parameter
At USGS
Gage Below
Silver King Creek
(2239019)
At Enaville
Bridge
(2239020)
At Rose Lake
Below
North Fork
(2239022)
Conductivity, uMHO
pH
Antimony, Total)ug/1
Arsenic, Total, ug/1
Cadmium, Total^ug/1
Chromium, Total, ug/1
Copper, Total, ug/1
Lead, Total, ug/1
Mercury, Total, ug/1
Zinc, To talj ug/1
FlOWj cf s
440
5.3
130 (83)
144 (92)
145 (93)
13 (8)
90 (58)
1200 (770)
1 (.6)
18,500 (11JS80)
119
480
5.4
110 (94)
44 (37)
120 (102)
9 (3)
46 (39)
480 (409)
< .5
15,000 (12,780)
158
205
6.3
50 (135)
7 (19)
60 (162)
4 (11)
10 (27)
80 (216)
< .5
4200 (11,340)
501
(Load in pounds per day shown in parenthesis)
------- |