SA/TSB-17
MERCURY, ZINC, COPPER, ARSENIC, SELB^IUM,
CYANIDE CONTBvJT OF SELECTED WATERS
AND SEDIMENT COLLECTED ALONG WHITEWOOD
CREEK, THE BELLE FOURCHE RIVER, AND THE
CHEYENNE RIVER IN WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA
DECEMBER 1971 - OCTOBER 1972
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em
TECHNICAL SUPPORT BRANCH
SURVEILLANCE AND ANALYSIS DIVISION
US. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION VfH
APRIL 1973
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SA-TSB-17
MERCURY, ZINC, COPPER, ARSENIC, SELENIUM, AND CYANIDE
CONTENT OF
SELECTED WATERS AND SEDIMENT ALONG
WHITEWOOD CREEK, THE BELLE FOURCHE RIVER, AND THE CHEYENNE RIVER
IN WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA
December 1971 - October 1972
A Report Submitted to the Conferees of the
Conference in the Matter of Pollution of the
Navigable Waters of Western South Dakota
Denver
TECHNICAL SUPPORT BRANCH
SURVEILLANCE AND ANALYSIS DIVISION
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION VIII
April 1973
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ABSTRACT
Alluvial sediments resembling tailings material derived from mining
operations in the northern Black Hills of South Dakota were identi-
fied as covering in excess of 1100 hectares of land paralleling
Whitewood Creek and the Belle Fourche River downstream of Lead, South
Dakota, in 1971-72. Assay of 40 samples of this material indicated
that the material contained, on the average, 10.6 ppm of mercury, 81 ppm
of zinc, 63 ppm of copper, and 2050 ppm of arsenic. With the exception
of zinc, these average concentrations were higher than average "back-
ground" concentrations. Also assayed were 68 samples of shallow
ground water collected from near the banks of Whitewood Creek and the
Belle Fourche River. The results of chemical assay indicated that
concentrations of mercury, zinc, copper, arsenic, and cyanide in —"*
these waters were not in excess of the limits placed upon waters used
as were these well-derived supplies. However, the results of assay
of samples from these wells and wells located along the Cheyenne
River near Wasta, South Dakota, did indicate that selenium concentra-
tions in excess of 0.020 mg/1 were present in certain wells in the
lower Cheyenne River Basin. The recommended limit concentration for
selenium in drinking water is currently 0.010 mg/1.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Abstract i
List of Tables iii
List of Figures iv
Introduction . . 1
Results of Analyses of Sediment and Shallow
Ground Water 3
Sediment Samples 3
Ground Water Samples 19
Summary 31
Appendices:
Appendix I - General Bibliography .... 1-1
Appendix II - Core Log II-l
Appendix III - Photographs III-l
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LIST OF TABLES
No.
Title
Page
1 Description of Sediment Sampling Sites and Samples
Collected along Whitewood Creek, Belle Fourche and
Cheyenne Rivers, South Dakota - (17-21 July 1972) ... 4
2 Results of Metal Assay for Mercury, Zinc, Copper,
and Arsenic in River Alluvium Collected from
Whitewood Creek, Belle Fourche River, and Cheyenne
River, South Dakota - July 1972 11
3 Description of Water Sampling Sites and Samples
Collected along Whitewood Creek, Belle Fourche
River, Cheyenne River, South Dakota (December 1971 -
October 1972) 20
4 Results of Spectrographs Analysis of Selected Water
Samples Collected from Shallow Wells along Whitewood
Creek, Belle Fourche River, and Cheyenne River
5 Results of Chemical Assay for Mercury, Zinc, Copper,
Arsenic, Selenium, and Cyanide in Water Samples
Collected from Shallow Wells along Whitewood Creek,
Belle Fourche River, and Cheyenne River, South Dakota -
Topographic Maps Showing Distribution of Tailings-like
(December 1971)
24
(December 1971 - October 1972)
. 25
FIGURE
Material and Sampling Locations
In pocket
- iii
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LIST OF FIGURES
(All figures are contained in rear pocket)
Figure 1 - Ground Water and Sediment Sampling Locations - Belle Fourche
and Cheyenne Rivers, Whitewood Creek, Western South Dakota.
Figure 2 - Topographic Map of Lead, S.D. Quad Showing Surface Location of
Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 3 - Topographic Map of Deadwood South, S.D. Quad Showing Surface
Location of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 4 - Topographic Map of Deadwood North, S.D. Quad Showing Surface
Location of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 5 - Topographic Map of Sturgis, S.D. Showing Surface Location of
Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 6 - Topographic Map of Saint Onge SE, S.D. Quad Showing Surface
Location of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 7 - Topographic Map of Vale, S.D. Quad Showing Surface Location .
of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 8 - Topographic Map of Newell, S.D. Quad Showing Surface Location
of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 9 - Topographic Map of Vale NE, S.D. Quad Showing Surface Location
of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 10 - Topographic Map of Vale SE, S.D. Quad Showing Surface Location
of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 11 - Topographic Map of Volunteer, S.D. Quad Showing Surface Location
of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 12 - Topographic Map of Volunteer, SE, S.D. Quad Showing Surface
Location of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 13 - Topographic Map of Rapid City 1 NE, S.D. Quad Showing Surface
Location of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 14 - Topographic Map of Hereford, S.D. Quad Showing Surface Location
of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites,
Figure 15 - Topographic Map of Hereford SW, S.D. Quad Showing Surface
Location of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 16 - Topographic Map of Hereford SE, S.D. Quad Showing Surface
Location of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
Figure 17 - Topographic Map of Elm Springs SW, S.D. Quad Showing Surface
Location of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
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LIST QF FIGURES (continued)
FIGURE 18 - Topographic Map of Elm Springs, S.D. Quad Showing Surface
Location of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
FIGURE 19 - Topographic Map of Dalzell NW, S.D. Quad Showing Surface
Location of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
FIGURE 20 - Topographic Map of Dalzell NE, S.D. Quad Showing Surface
Location of Alluvial Tailings and Sampling Sites.
FIGURE 21 - Topographic Map of Wasta, S.D. Quad Showing Sampling Sites.
FIGURE 22 - Topographic Map of Wasta SE, S.D. Quad Showing Sampling Site.
FIGURE 23 - Gradient of Whitewood Creek, Belle Fourche River, and Cheyenne
River, Western South Dakota.
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INTRODUCTION
This report presents physical and chemical data describing the river
alluvium and shallow ground water extant in the Cheyenne-Belle Fourche-
Whitewood Creek drainage system of southwestern South Dakota, down-
stream of Lead, South Dakota. The collection and assay of samples were
accomplished over the period December 1971 through December 1972 by the
Region VIII staff of EPA, assisted by the National Division of Field
Investigations and the South Dakota Department of Health (Division of
Sanitary Engineering and Environmental Protection).
This effort was requested in October of 1971 in the form of two "Recom-
mendations" contained in the "Proceedings"1^ of the Conference convened
in Rapid City to address the pollution affecting the Cheyenne River
System. These two recommendations were:
1. "6. The location and composition of buried tailings
materials, including abandoned tailings piles, along
Whitewood Creek, the Belle Fourche River, and the
Cheyenne River shall be ascertained and documented
and the rates of release of heavy metals and toxic
elements to be established by the State of South
Dakota and the Environmental Protection Agency by
October 1, 1972, and findings reported to the Chair-
man and the conferees. South Dakota will provide
the Chairman of this group.
2. "7. Arsenic concentrations in wells in the Cheyenne
Basin shall be determined and documented by the State
of South Dakota and the Environmental Protection Agency
to ascertain whether these sources are acceptable for
domestic or agricultural water supply uses and the find-
ings shall be reported to the Chairman and the conferees
within six months of the date of this conference. EPA
will provide technical services."
Most of the information relating to pollution of that portion of the
Cheyenne River Basin under discussion was provided by EPA prior to the
Conference of October 1971, in a report2) prepared by the EPA National
Field Investigations group in Denver. Two conclusions reached by that
group are pertinent and are therefore listed below:
1. "6. Previously-discharged Homestake tailings solids
have been deposited along Whitewood Creek and the
Belle Fourche and Cheyenne Rivers. These solids are
eroded and leached during high stream flows. Buried
deposits of tailings solids occur in abandoned river
meanders, chiefly along the Belle Fourche River.
1) Conference Proceedings in the Matter of Pollution of the Navigable
Water of Western South Dakota - USEPA (1971).
2) "Report on Pollution Affecting Water Quality of the Cheyenne River
System, Western South Dakota" - September 1971.
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Leaching of mercury from such deposits contaminates
ground water, as well as surface streams. The ground
water is used as a supply for domestic wells. Large
quantities of mercury are contained in the buried
tailings and may be leached by ground water. After
cessation of the discharge of solids from Homestake,
the deposits will be eroded by surface streams as the
streams adjust to a new hydrologic regime. Research
is currently underway to develop methods of recovering
mercury from sediments. The buried tailings also con-
tain large quantities of arsenopyrite which may be
leached to surface streams or ground water."
2. "4. Analyses of effluents discharged during June 1971
showed the Homestake Mining Company to be adding daily
loads of 312 pounds (142 kg) of cyanide, 240 pounds
(109 kg) of zinc, 72 pounds (33 kg) of copper, and 2735
tons (2.5 x 106 kg) of suspended solids to Whitewood
Creek. The tailings solids include a load of 9.5 tons
(0.086 x 106 kg) per day of arsenic in the form of
arsenopyrite, an arsenic-iron sulfide. The arsenopy-
rite is oxidized, resulting in arsenic concentrations
in the Cheyenne River which are four times greater
than the U. S. Public Health Service water supply
criterion."
The effort presented in this report was directed toward (1) locating
and determining the chemical composition, in terms of mercury (Hg),
zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and arsenic (As), of sediments along the White-
wood Creek-Belle Fourche-Cheyenne River system which appeared to be
similar to tailings materials, and (2) sampling and determining the
chemical composition, in terms of selected metals and cyanide, of shallow
ground water used by inhabitants of lowland areas in the vicinity of the
surface drainage system affected by discharges from the Homestake opera-
tions.
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. RESULTS OF ANALYSES OF
SEDIMENT AND SHALLOW GROUNDWATER
Sediment Samples
Forty-eight one-pint samples of sediment and seven sediment cores were
collected from the survey area during the period July 17-21, 1972.
Samples were collected with shovels and with a hand-driven, thin-wall
corer. Sample locations were based upon the results of the interpreta-
tion of multi-spectral imagery obtained from aircraft flown over the
area in 1971. The interpretation was provided by the EPA National
Field Investigations group in Denver3). The graphical results of this
tailings-identification effort are provided in the rear of this report
(Figures 2 thru 22) and sample locations are also denoted in these figures
and in Figure 1.
In general, the field investigations of sediment occurrence conducted in
July of 1972 showed the limits of tailings deposits, as derived from
the photographic mission conducted on November 20 and 23, 1971, to be
accurate. It had been estimated3) that the area affected by the tailings
equalled about 1100 hectares5)-(80 hectares on Whitewood Creek and 1000
hectares on the Belle-Fourche River). In the opinion of the author of
this report, the dark tailings material, considered characteristic of
the present Homestake discharge, was spread over a somewhat greater area
in July of 1972 than was shown in the November 1971 photography, but this
additional material was not generally found in any appreciable thicknesses.
The difference is attributed, primarily, to the occurrence of higher flows
in the period elapsing between photography and sampling. Grayish-colored
"tailings" were not generally found to any substantial depth. The thickest
deposits encountered in 1972 (1.7 m.) were limited to isolated near-shore
or bank deposits. However, substantial amounts and thicknesses of red-
brown sand were encountered in Whitewood Creek and downstream of Whitewood
Creek on the Belle Fourche River. These red-brown sands appeared to be
associated with past discharges of tailings material into Whitewood Creek.
Except where hidden by vegetation or thin gravel cover, the position of
these reddish sands were coincident with the locations selected from the
photography.
Sediment sites and sampling data are discussed and presented in Table 1.
Descriptions of the samples and cores are included. The results of chemical
assay for mercury, zinc, copper, and arsenic are presented in Table 2.
Selenium data are not yet available. Background data, that is, "background"
in relationship to the present discharge from the Homestake operation, were
collected at Sites BF-1, BF-2, C-l, and CT-1.
3) "Report on Remote Sensing Study, Whitewood Creek/Belle Fourche River,
South Dakota, Jan. '72".
4) Color photographs are provided in a limited number of copies of the report
(Appendix HI).
5) Hectare = 10^ square meters = square hectometer.
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TABLE 1
Description of Sediment Sampling Sites and Samples Collected Along Whitewood
Creek, Belle Fourche and Cheyenne Rivers, South Dakota (17-21 July 1972)
(followed by Core Log).
WHITEWOOD CREEK
Site WC-1 T6N; R3E; NE, NE, 33 Deadwood North Quad.
1. Samples collected: SD-SED-4 (pint sample)- 18 Jul 72 - #10957
2. Location: North bank of Whitewood Creek, 15m. upstream of bridge, 150m. southeast
of Johnson Residence, about 2.1 km SSE of Town of Whitewood, S.D., and about 14.5 km
NE of Lead, S.D., at "Crook City." Bridge is for small dirt road. Lawrence County.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings - like material, a fine gray sandy silt occurs
to a depth of 1 5 cm or so along the concave sides* of the Creek. This silt over-
lies gravel and sand. Similar deposits occur in a spotty fashion along all of the
channel visible from this location. They are seldom wider than 1 meter.
4. Further description of material sampled: Sample contains red-brown mica.
5. Relationship to Photo-interpretation: Between Areas 1 and 2. Site WC-1 not iden-
tified as one with tailings in 1971 photography, perhaps due to the thinness of the
deposits and the eight-month period elapsing between the photography and sampling.
* Similar to "point bar deposits".
Site WC-2 T6N; R4E; NW 22 Sturgis Quad.
1. Samples collected: SD-SED-5A; SD-SED-5B (both pint samples); SD-SED-5C and 5C
"duplicate" (core sample). 18 Jul 72 - #10952; #10948.
2. Location: East bank of Whitewood Creek, 10m. upstream of bridge. 1.6km. northeast
of Whitewood, South Dakota at Whitewood Valley Road across Whitewood Creek ;Lawrence Co.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings - like material, a somewhat coarse gray sandy
silt with some brown sand occurs along a relatively wide deposit (up to 12 meters)
deposited along the convex side of the Creek. The silt consists of from a thin
crust up to about 30 cm. overlying alluvial sand and gravel. At depths from 8 cm.
or more a relatively fine, gray-brown sand was encountered with only minor silt
present.
4. Further description of material sampled: Sample contains mica as small (a few mil-
limeters) flecks. Sample SD-SED-5A collected from upper 15 cm. consisting of gray-
brown silt and sand. Sample SD-SED-5B collected from lower 15 cm. consisting of
gray-brown to red sand. These samples collected from middle of deposit. Sample
SD-SED-5C is a core collected from the deposit near the flowing Creek.
Core description: See core log.
5. Relationship to Photo-interpretation: Southern end of Area 4. Field inspection in-
dicates that delineations derived from photography are accurate in this area. New
tailings deposit caused by ice jam along flat area west of Creek and upstream of
bridge.
Site WC-3 T6N; R4E; NE, NW 15-SE, SW 10 Sturgis Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-14A through 14F (6 samples, pint samples); 20 Jul 72.
2. Location: East bank of Whitewood Creek, about 2.0 km. downstream from Site WC-2.
Collections made 10 to 50 meters west of Whitewood Valley Road; Lawrence County.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings - like material, a dark gray silt with minor
sand, was found as a 10 cm. covering over gravel deposits at two levels, one recent
and paralleling the Creek and another, older layer located somewhat away from the
stream and 60 cm. above the recent silt. The silt was randomly distributed over
the area and the layer identified as "recent" did not extend under the higher layer.
Fresh material was found along the convex side of the Creek while the older material
covered an abandoned deposit connected to a convex portion of the Creek. Buried
"tailings" were found beneath silt and sand along low areas of an extensive channel
deposit upstream of the fresher silt.
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TABLE 1 (Cont.)
Site HC-3 (Cont.)
4. Further description of material sampled:
SD-SED-14A - Black, highly organic (?) material from established (feed) stream bank.
Collected for the purpose of verifying that these older black beds,
approximately 7 cm. thick; are not tailings material .(#10983)
SD-SED-14B - Fresh, lower silt covering gravel bar in channel of Whitewood Creek,
approximately 10 cm. deep. (#10982)
SD-SED-14C - Older silt on bar, 60 cm. above and upstream of 14B; not analyzed.
SD-SED-14D - Yellow, green (Iron rich?) silt and sand from low area on terrace. Red
shale at 10 cm. (#10988)
SD-SED-14E - Gray silt and clay from 5 cm. thick'layer located approximately 25 cm.
beneath surface in low area on terrace. 1.5 m. above Creek, over slight
rise, about 10 m. east of Creek. (#10987)
SD-SED-14F - Red, brown sand from beneath (TD 45 cm.) silt layer of 14E; mixed with
pebbles. (#10986)
5. Relationship to Photo-Interpretation: No photography
Site WC-4 T6N; R4E; C, N 1/2, NW, 2 St. Onge, SE Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-15 (pint sample)- 20 Jul 72 - #10985
2. Location: West bank of Whitewood Creek, 5 m. upstream of bridge, 1.4 km. north of
Hathaway School (Saint Onge SE. 1954); Lawrence County.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings - like material, a dark gray to black silt, occurs
as a 15 cm.± thick covering over alluvial gravel and sand. Deposit is about 7 m. wide
at sample site and narrows in a fashion typical of alluvial deposits.
4. Further description of material sampled: Material was wet, and relatively fresh.
5. Relationship to Photo-interpretation: At northeast extremity of Area 14.
Site WC-5 T7N; R4E; C, S 1/2, NE, 25 St. Onge, SE Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-6A; SD-SED-6B (pint samples); 18 Jul 72 - #10950
2. Location: South bank of Whitewood Creek, 75 to 100 m. upstream of bridge (Whitewood
Valley Road), 0.4 km. west of Lawrence - Meade County Line; Lawrence County.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings - like material occurs as thin (3+cm.) surface
covering over alluvial sand and gravel. #6B was collected from this covering in an
abandoned (recently) channel. #6A was collected from a 7 cm.-thick silty clay layer
occurring about 0.5 m. deep in an old bar (vegetation on top) dividing the current
channel from the abandoned channel of sample #6B.
4. Further description of material sampled: #6A - fine, dark gray silt, minor sand.
#6B - fine, dark gray sand, mid-silt, overlying red-brown sand and gravel.
5. Relationship to Photo-interpretation-. Between Areas 21 and 22. Bar deposit (SD-SED-
6A) too deep for detection. Channel deposit (SD-SED-6B) probably Spring-time deposit
occurring post-photography. Inspection of east portion of Area 21 indicated no appre-
ciable concentrations of tailings - type material (north bank of Creek).
Site WC-6 T7N; R5E; SE, SW, 4 St. Onge, SE Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-7 (pint sample); 18 Jul 72 - #10953
2. Location: East bank of Whitewood Creek, 15 m. downstream of bridge; Meade County.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings - like material covers alluvial gravel and sand
as a thin (few centimeters thick) surface layer.
4. Further description of material sampled: Fine, dark gray sand, silt, minor clay.
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TABLE 1 (Cont.)
Site WC-6 (Cont.)
5. Relationship to Photo-interpretation: Between Areas 34 and 35 but included on P. I. as
thin band.
Site WC-7 T8N; R5E; C, S 1/2, SE, 26. Vale Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-8A through 8D (core); 18 Jul 72.
2. Location: Northwest bank of Whitewood Creek, about 30 m. upstream of bridge, about
5.6 km. west of Vale, S. D. - Butte County.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings - like material occurs as an isolated thick (ap-
proximately 1.1m.) bank deposit and as thin coverings of alluvial gravel and sand.
4. Further description of material sampled: See core log.
5. Relationship to Photo-interpretation: In Areas 41 and 42.
BELLE FOURCHE RIVER
Site BF-1 T8N; R5E; SE, NE, 7
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-16A; SD-SED-16B (pint samples); 20 Jul 72 - #10992; #10991
2. Location: North bank of Belle Fourche River, 3 m. downstream of bridge and 1 m. north
of River (#16A) and 25 m. upstream of bridge, 4 m. north of River (#16B), 0.8 km.
south of Nisland, S. D., upstream of Whitewood Creek - Butte County.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": No material similar in color to tailings. Si 1ty clay
covers gravel and lies as bank deposit along channel.
4. Further description of material sampled: #16A - Surface silt and sand. Primarily
gray-brown silt with brown and white (qtz) sand. #16B - Gray clay, silt, with minor
quartz sand and red-brown sand.
5. Relationship to Photo-Interpretation: No photography.
Site BF-2 T8N; R5E; SE, NE, 10 Newell Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-17 (pint sample); 20 Jul 72 - #10990
2. Location: South bank of Belle Fourche River, 15 m. downstream of bridge, 5 m. south
of River, 4.8 km. west of Nisland, 0.8 km. south of highway U. S. 212, upstream of
Whitewood Creek, Butte County.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": No material exactly similar to tailings. Si 1ty clay covers
gravel and lies as bank deposits along channel.
4. Further description of material sampled: Dark gray silt, clay, with minor organic
material.
5. Relationship to Photo-Interpretation: No photography.
Site BF-3 T8N; R6E; SW, SW, 20 Newell Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-9A through 9C (cores in pint samples); 18 Jul 72 - A #10949'
B #10951; C #10947.
2. Location: North bank of Belle Fourche River, 35 m. downstream of S. D. highway 79
bridge, #9A 1 m. north of River, #9B, #9C 13 m. north of River; about 2.7 km. north-
west of Vale, S. D., near stock well (water sample site #7). (Butte County)
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings - like material found as thin {6 to 12 cm.) cov-
ering over alluvial sand and gravel from River north some 15 m. onto bank. Short
cores were collected of "tailings" material and of sand underlying the silt.
4. Further description of material sampled: #9A - dark gray silt, clay, with minor sand,
small pebbles from 7.6 cm. long core of surface material; #9B - dark gray and brown
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TABLE 1 (Cont.)
Site BF-3 (Cont.)
silt, brown sand, from 12.5 cm.-long core of surface material; #9C - brown-red sand
from lower 20 cm. of 46 cm. deep core hole beneath sample #9B.
5. Relationship to Photo-Interpretation: In west end of Area 6; visual observations of
tailings agree well with P. I.
Site BF-4 T8N; R6E; SE, NE, 28 Newell Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-10 (Core); 18 Jul 72.
2. Location: Northwest bank of Belle Fourche River, about 20 m. upstream of bridge, 1.7
km. northeast of Vale. Sample collected from relatively thick bank deposit. Also,
general location of sediment Transect #1 (p. 82, EPA Report "Pollution Affecting
Water Quality of the Cheyenne River System, Western South Dakota," Sep. 71.)- Butte Co.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings-like material found as relatively thick bank de-
posit covering small area upstream of bridge. Material is windblown and apparent
thickness of 1 m. is caused by sloughing of material into channel. About 30 cm. of
gray silt were encountered on top of the bank. The silt also contains brownish-red
sandy material thought to differ from tailings. Core bottomed in sandy gravel at
total depth of 46 cm.
4. Further description of material sampled: 30 cm. core from top of 46 cm, hole. See
core log.
5. Relationship to Photo-Interpretation: In middle of area 11A.
Site BF-5 T8N; R7E; SE, NW, 27 Vale NE Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-18A through E (core); SD-SED-18F (pint sample); 20 Jul 72 -
#10989.
2. Location: West bank of Belle Fourche River, 17 m. downstream of bridge, 10 m. west
of River, 12 km. east of Vale, S. D.; Butte County.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings-like material occurs over extensive area of bank.
Total depth of core hole: 1.68 m. Water encountered at 1 m.
4. Further description of material sampled: Total core from 1.68 m. hole in 5 incre-
ments plus top 15 cm. of 18E in pint jar (18F). See core log. Water collected for
analyses (#20).
5. Relationship to Photo-Interpretation: In Area 50.
Site BF-6 T6N; R8E; SE, NW, 3 Volunteer Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-19A and B; SD-SED-20A through G (core in pint samples) 20 Jul 72
2. Location: East bank of Belle Fourche River, 260 m. west of Volunteer, S. D. Sample
SD-SED-19 collected 10 m. upstream of Highway 24 bridge, 6 m. east of River. Sample
SD-SED-20 collected 35 m. downstream of bridge, 6 m. east of River edge (Meade County).
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings - like material occurs extensively over a mudflat
which extends inshore about 30 meters. Silt depth decreases from a maximum of perhaps
2.5 meters (interbedded with sand and gravel) to a very thin deposit at extreme in-
shore locations.
4. Further description of material sampled: #19 - total depth 1.1 m.
SD-SED-19A - dark, gr3y silt from lower 15 cm. of core; #10963
SD-SED-19B - red and gray silt (10 cm. portion) found at about 45 cm. (deep); #10960
#20 - total depth 2.1 to 2.2 m.
SD-SED-20A - Upper 15 cm. of core; dark gray silt and clay; #10959
SD-SED-20B - Portion from 15 cm. to 61 cm.; red, brown sand, 7 cm. to 10 cm. -
thick layer below #20A; #10958
SD-SED-20C - Portion from 61 cm. to 91 cm; red, brown sand with layers and lenses
of dark gray silt - 12 cm. section of core; #10964
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TABLE 1 (Cont.)
Site BF-6 (Cont.)
SD-SED-20D - Portion from 91 to 1.2 m. ; dark gray silt with thin red, brown sand
layers - 10 cm. section of core. #10961
SD-SED-20E - Portion from 1.2 m. to 1.5 m.; dark gray silt, wet area - 12 cm. from
15 cm. long silt layer. #10962
SD-SED-20F - Portion from 1.5 m. to 1.8 m. ; Gravel layer mixed with dark gray silt
but dry (20E was wet) - 10 cm. portion of core. #10965
SD-SED-20G - Portion from 1,8 m. to 2.1 or 2.2 m.; thin-walled sampler jammed in
hole; dry, tight, dark gray clay and silt, crumbles, (gravel at bottom
of hole) - clay oniy sampled. #10969
5. Relationship to Photo Interpretation: Center of Area 109.
Site BF-7 T5N; R1E; NE, NW, SW 31 Hereford, SE Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-13A and B (pint samples); SD-SED-13C through E (core);
SD-SED-13F (core in pint sample); 19 Jul 72; A - #10972; B - #10973;. F - #10984.
2. Location: North bank of Belle Fourche River, 6 m. upstream of bridge, 13 m". north
of River, on road between Hereford and Viewfield, S. D.(Meade County).
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings - like material occurs to depth of 1 meter and
less in a bank deposit. Dark gray silt is interbedded with red-brown sand.
4. Further description of material sampled:
SD-SED-13A - dark gray silt with red-brown sand from upper 15 cm. of column.
SD-SED-13B - red-brown sand found beneath 13A.
See core log for 13C - 13E.
SD-SED-13F - dark gray slimes, clayey silt, and rounded Debbles from about 1 meter
(bottom of core hole); pebbles 0.6 to 1.2 cm diam.
5. Relationship to Photo Interpretation: Western portion of Area 209.
Site BF-8 T5N; R12E; NW, NE 34 and NE, SE, 26
Elm Springs SW Quad ("Mooney Ranch" Site)
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-12A through F (pint samples); SD-SED-12G and H {core
samples) 19 Jul 72.
2. Location: North bank of Belle Fourche River, 11 km. northwest of Elm Springs. Sam-
ples A through C collected beside River, Section 34. Samples D through H collected
beside River, Section 26. (Meade County)
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": From experience of ranchers, gray silt occurs in "beds",
separated by sand and gravel. Tailings - like material was found on the surface of
bank deposits and was found in random widths. Samples were collected in close prox-
imity (within 1 m.) to the River.
4. Further description of material sampled:
SD-SED-12A - dark gray silt with minor brown sand collected from selected layers
in hand-dug pit to 30 cm. #10974
SD-SED-12B - black clayey silt with minor vegetative matter collected from bank-
side slice of fresh river mud. #10975
SD-SED-12C - gray and brown sand and silt from surface at location 3 m. inshore from
A and B. #10976
SD-SED-12D - dark gray silt with minor brown-red sand collected from 20 cm. to 23 cm.
thick bed at depth of 30 cm. in hand dug pit at core site. #10977
SD-SED-12E - gray-green silt found at depth of 46 cm. in 15 cm.-thick layer encoun-
tered at hand dug pit at core site. #10970
SD-SED-12F - black and dark gray clay and organic (?) matter collected at depth of
30 cm. near core site. #10971
See core log
5. Relationship to Photo Interpretation: Samples A, B, C at east end of Area 237;
Samples D-H at west end of Area 241.
-8-
-------
TABLE 1 (Cont.)
Site BF-9 T5N; R13E; NE, NE, 29 Elm Springs Quad.
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-11A and B (pint samples); SD-SED-11C through G (core);
SD-SED-11H and I (pint samples); 19 Jul 72.
2. Location: South bank of Belle Fourche River, 7 km. north-northwest of Elm Springs,
S. D. Site for 11A located 17 m. upstream of bridge, 1 m. north of River. Site
for 11B-G located 35 m. downstream of bridge, 5 m. south of River. Site for 11H
located 35 m. downstream of bridge and 30 m. south of River at southern edge of silt
deposits. Site for 111 located 100 m. downstream of bridge next to River (Meade County)
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Tailings - like material covers bank deposit that extends
downstream. Material also occurs in beds or layers at depth.
4. Further description of material sampled:
SD-SED-11A - gr£y and brown sands, minor fines, with dark gray silt in layers. #10978
SD-SED-11B - gray and brown sands predominate, with dark gray silt in layers. #10979
See core log for remainder (C thru G).
SD-SED-11H - surface mud (cracked) from 2.5 cm. layer of blackish, silty, surface
material and red-brown sand from subsurface material. #10980
SD-SED-111 - dark gray, fresh silt, sticky, from layer beside River bank.#10981
5. Relationship to Photo-Interpretation: West edge of Area 249.
CHEYENNE RIVER
Site C-l TIN; R15E; NE, NW 4
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-1 and SD-SED-2 (both pint samples); 17 Jul 72; #10955; #10954
2. Location: Southeast bank of Cheyenne River, 50 m. downstream of 1-90 bridge, on
gravel bar.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": None. Silt is sparse in area.
4. Further description of material sampled:
SD-SED-1 - light gray silty sand with pebbles of same color - from upper 5 cm. to
7.5 cm. of surface (gravel and sand below).
SD-SED-2 - coarse sand, brown-gray, reddish, from beneath #1 in pit 60 cm. deep.
5. Relationship to Photo-Interpretation: No photography.
Site C-2
1. Samples Collected: SD-SED-21A through C (pint samples); 21 Jul 72.
2. Location: North bank of Cheyenne River, 30 m. upstream of S. D. Highway 34 bridge
- A near River; B 8 m. north of River, C 33 m. north of River.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": Gray silt occurs as relatively thin covering over gravel
and sand bars and similar onshore deposits.
4. Further description of material sampled:
SD-SED-21A - dark gray silt, some sand, to depth of 20 cm. along River bank.#10968
SD-SED-21B - dark gray silt and sand, to depth of 5 cm. over gravel, from terrace
ab9ut 8 m. higher than site for sample A. #10967
SD-SED-21C - gray silt from 10 cm. thick surface layer overlying white-brown sand in
shallow abandoned (flood) channel north of River (lower area than site
for sample B). #10966
5. Relationship to Photo-Interpretation: No photography.
-9-
-------
TABLE 1 (Cont.)
CHEYENNE - ELK CREEK
Site CT-1 T3N; R13E; NE, SW, 1
1. Samples collected: SD-SED-3 (pint sample) - 17 Jul 72 - #10956
2. Location: South bank of Elk Creek at bridge 24 km. (road miles) north of Wasta and
7.2 km. south of Elm Springs; collected immediately downstream of bridge.
3. Occurrence of "Tailings": None
4. Further description of material sampled: Dark gray to black silt and red sand.
5. Relationship to Photo-Interpretation: No photography.
-10-
-------
RESULTS OF METAL ASSAY FOR
MERCURY, ZINC, COPPER, AND ARSENIC IN RIVER ALLUVIUM COLLECTED FROM
WHITEWOOD CREEK, BELLE FOURCHE RIVER, AND CHEYENNE RIVER, SOUTH DAKOTA
JULY 1972
Sanple
Si te
Water Course
Sediment Sample
Number
Type
Material
Location
Relative to
1
Sampled
Depth
Metal Concentrations
(rna/ka or Dom. drv weiaht)
Number
Field Lab
Homestake
(cm)
Hq
Zn
T Cu
1 As
WC-1
Whitewood Creek
SD-SR0-4
#10957
Red-brown sand,
Dark silt
Downstream
15
<0.1
51.1
71 .4
1600
WC-2
Whitewood Creek
SD-SED-5A
#10952
Red-brown sand,
Darker silt
Downstream
0-15
0.4
105.
103.
2600
II
II II
SD-SED-5B
#10948
Gray-brown sand
Downstream
15-30
0.6
93.9
70.7
2100
WC-3
Whitewood Creek
SD-SED-14A
#10983
Black organic material
Downstream
7
50
thick
beneath surface
<0.1
68.4
20.9
4.7
II II
SD-SED-14B
#10982
Dark gray silt,
minor sand
Downstream
0-10
<0.1
70.9
79.5
3000
II
II II
SD-SED-14C
Dark gray silt
Downstream
0-7
Container
jroken upon
receipt at
aboratory.
II
II II
SD-SED-14D
#10988
Yellow, green
silt, sand
Downstream
0-25
1.0
70.4
38.5
1870
II
ll li
SD-SED-14E
#10987
Gray
Clay, silt
Downstream
5
25
thick
beneath surface
2.0
44.4
33.3
4030
II
II II
SD-SED-14F
#10986
Red-brown sand
Downstream
0-45
0.6
66.9
54.5
11770
WC-4
Whitewood Creek
SD-SED-15
#10985
Dark gray
Silt, wet
Downstream
0-15
0.3
69.1
78.8
2730
WC-5
li II
SD-SED-6A
#10950
Dark gray
Silt
Downstream
7 thick
36 deep
4.1
104.
121 .
4340
DO
ro
-------
RESULTS OF METAL ASSAY FOR
MERCURY, ZINC, COPPER, AND ARSENIC IN RIVER ALLUVIUM COLLECTED FROM
WHITEWOOD CREEK, BELLE FOURCHE RIVER, AND CHEYENNE RIVER, SOUTH DAKOTA
JULY 1972
Sanole
Site
Water Course
Sediment Sample
Number
Type
Material
Location
Relative to
Sampled
Depth
Metal Concentrations
(ma/ka or dditi. drv weiaht)
Number
Field Lab
Homestake
(cm)
Hq
Zn
1 Cu
! As
WC-5
Whitewood Creek
SD-SED-6B
Dark gray
Silt, sand (bar)
Downstream
7 thick
50 deep
Not analysed
1
WC-6
Whitewood Creek
SD-SED-7
#10953
Dark gray
Silt, fine sand
Downstream
0-2
<0.1
53.3
60.1
1000
BF-1
Belle Fourche River
SD-SED-16A
#10992
Gray-brown
Silt, quartz, sand
Upstream
0-5
<0.1
77.9
18.8
10.7
It
II H
SD-SED-16B
#10991
Gray - clay, silt,
quartz, and red-brown
sand.
Upstream
15-20
<0.1
75.6
20.0
11.9
BF-2
II II II
SD-SED-17
#10990
Dark gray
Silt, clay, sand
Upstream
0-20
0.1
86.3
21 .6
12.6
BF-3
II tl ¦>
SD-SED-9A
#10949
Dark gray
Silt, clay, pebbles
Downstream
0-8
0.4
59.6
58.7
4760
11
¦i ii n
SD-SED-9B
#10951
Gray and brown
Silt and sand
Downstream
8-20
0.5
81 .7
57.8
1700
II
n ii ii
SD-SED-9C
#10947
Brown-red
Sand
Downstream
45-66
0.2
74.6
65.9
2000
BF-5
n n i»
SD-SED-18F
#10989
Dark gray
Sand, silt
Downstream
153-168
0.5
55.9
72.9
2430
BF-6
n ii ii
SD-SED-19A
#10963
Dark gray
Silt
Downstream
295-310
0.8
75.7
115.
5260
-------
RESULTS OF METAL ASSAY FOR
MERCURY, ZINC, COPPER. AND ARSENIC IN RIVER ALLUVIUM COLLECTED FROM
WHITEMOOD CREEK, BELLE FOURCHE RIVER. AND CHEYENNE RIVER, SOUTH DAKOTA
JULY 1972
Sampl e
Si te
Water Course
Sediment Sample
Number
Type
Material
Location
Relative to
Sampled
Depth
Metal Concentrations
(ma/ka or dditi. drv weiaht)
Number
Field Lab
Homestake
(cm)
Hg
Zn
Cu "
! As
BF-6
Belle
Fourche River
SD-SED-19B
#10960
Red, gray
Silt, sand
Downstream
40-50
1.4
82.4
59.7
1130
11
II
II II
SD-SED-20A
#10959
Dark gray
Silt, clay
Downstream
0-15
0.2
68.6
67.4
1940
II
ll
II II
SD-SED-20B
#10958
Red-brown
Sand
Downstream
15-61
0.7
78.6
70.4
1830
II
II
II ll
SD-SED-20C
#10964
Red-brown
Sand, silt layers
Downstream
61-91
1.4
76.3
69.0
1980
II
II
ll II
SD-SED-20D
#10961
Dark gray
Silt, sand layer
Downstream
91-120
0.8
89.1
65.2
1120
II
II
II II
SD-SED-20E
#10962
Dark gray
Silt - wet
Downstream
120-150
1 .2
89.9
74.2
1075
11
II
II II
SD-SED-20F
#10965
Gravel, silt
Downstream
150-180
0.1
84.2
28.9
120
II
II
ll II
SD-SED-20G
#10969
Clay - dry
Downstream
180-210
<0.1
112
31 .9
73.6
BF-7
Bel 1 e
Fourche River
SD-SED-13A
#10972
Dark gray
Silt, clay,
Red-brown sand
Downstream
0-15
0.8
77.0
92.9
2700
II
ll II
SD-SED-13B
#10973
Red-brown
Sa nd
Downstream
15-(30)
0.2
59.5
44.8
1275
1
-------
RESULTS OF METAL ASSAY FOR
MERCURY, ZINC, COPPER, AND ARSENIC IN RIVER ALLUVIUM COLLECTED FROM
WHITEWOOD CREEK, BELLE FOURCHE RIVER, AND CHEYENNE RIVER, SOUTH DAKOTA
JULY 1972
Sarr.pl e
Si te
Water Course
Sediment Sample
Number
Type
Material
Location
Relative to
Sampled
Depth
Metal Cone
(ma/ka or dditi
entrations
drv weiaht)
Nurrber
Field Lab
Homestake
(cm)
Hq
Zn
Cu
1 As
BF-7
Belle
Fourche' River
SD-SED-13F
#10984
Dark gray
Clay, silt, gravel
Downstream
~100
0.1
65.4
21.0
160
BF-8
Belle
Fourche River
SD-SED-12A
#10974
Dark gray
Silt, clay
Brown sand
Downstream
0-30
0.2
76.4
59.0
1740
ii
SD-SED-12B
#10975
Dark gray
Silt, clay (fresh)
Minor vegetation
Downstream
0-5
0.6
89.0
63.8
1200
"
11
II II
SD-SED-12C
#10976
Gray, brown
Silt, sand
Downstream
0-15
0.2
64.3
63.2
2350
"
"
" "
SD-SED-12D
#10977
Dark gray
Silt
Downstream
20 thick
30 deep
0.3
229.
145.
2880
"
n
n ii
SD-SED-12E
#10970
Greenish silt,
Clay
Downstream
15 thick
46 deep
0.7
73.7
65.8
1700
"
11
il II
SD-SED-12F
#10971
Dark
Organic (?) material
Downstream
30
0.7
86.2
50.6
1025
BF-9
Belle
Fourche River
SD-SED-11A
#10978
Gray & brown
Sand, silt
Downstream
0-30
0.2
69.0
49.0
1640
H
II
li ti
SD-SED-11B
#10979
Red-brown
Sand, silt
Downstream
0-30
0.5
76.9
65.3
1660
"
"
II ii
SD-SED-11H
#10980
Black silt (i) and
Red-brown sand (ii)
Downstream
0-2.5
0.4
101 .
38.8
(i) 344
(11)1060
-------
RESULTS OF METAL ASSAY FOR
MERCURY, ZINC, COPPER, AND ARSENIC IN RIVER ALLUVIUM COLLECTED FROM
WHITEWOOD CREEK, BELLE FOURCHE RIVER, AND CHEYENNE RIVER, SOUTH DAKOTA
JULY 1972
I
<_n
Sample
Si te
Number
Water Course
Sediment Sample
Number
Field Lab
Type
Material
Location
Relative to
Homestake
Sampled
Depth
(cm)
Metal Cone
(ma/ka or DDm
entrations
. drv weiahtl
Hq
Zn
Cu
1 As
BF-9
Belle Fourche River
SD-SED-111
Fresh dark gray
Downstream
0-10
0.4
118.
58.1
800
#10981
Clay-silt
C-l
Cheyenne River
SD-SED-1
Light gray
Upstream
5-7.5
<0.1
47.1
14.7
5.9
#10955
Silt
II
II II
SD-SED-2
Brown
Upstream
7.5-60
<0.1
10.8
2.7
3.6
#1 0954
Sand
C-2
Cheyenne River
SD-SED-21A
Gray, silt
Downstream
0-20
0.3
81 .9
31.3
460
#10968
Minor sand
II
„
SD-SED-21B
Dark gray
Downstream
0-5
0.1
60.4
23.4
350
#10967
Silt & sand
¦'
li II
SD-SED-21C
Gray silt
Downstream
0-10
0.1
70.6
33.1
370
#10966
White-brown sand
CT-1
Elk Creek Tributary to
SD-SED-3
Dark gray
Upstream
0-25
<0.1
96.9
25.1
16.6
Cheyenne River
#10956
Silt, red sand
(separate
mi nor
watershed)
CD
ro
o
o
=3
C+
-------
Based upon these stations, background concentrations of the metals of
interest were as follows: Hg - 0.1 ppm (though one sample of s|lt
from the Cheyenne River contained 0.3 ppm Hg); Zn - 10 to 100 ppm;
Cu - 3 to 25 ppm; As - 4 to 17 ppm. In contrast, samples from other
sites located downstream of the Homestake discharge contained as much
as 4.1 ppm Hg, 229 ppm Zn, 145 ppm Cu, and 11,770 ppm As. All sedi-
ment concentrations are reported in dry weights. Measured moisture
contents range from 1.6 to 68.8 percent.
All attempts to classify the sediments by their metal content must
be tempered by cognizance of the limited number of samples collected
for the express purpose of describing differences between lithologi-
cally-classified samples (48 one-pint samples plus 7 unanalyzed cores
from 19 sites were collected). In the reaches of streams downstream
of the Homestake operation, two types of alluvium predominate in the
samples. First, a dark gray silt, black when wet and light gray when
dry, was found over much of that part of the channel not covered by
water. This material has been alleged to be relatively recent tailings
from the Homestake gold mine and milling operation located at Lead,
South Dakota. The second type of alluvium is a red-brown sandy-to-
silty material which was often found beneath a surface layer of the
dark silt and was also interbedded with the dark silt at certain
sampling sites. The dark silt became lighter (toward brown) as one
progressed downstream along the Belle Fourche River. The brown color
is attributed to the presence of white and brown (oxide stained) quartz
grains. No dark silt similar to that found in Whitewood Creek or in
reaches of the Belle Fourche River downstream of Whitewood Creek was
found either in the Belle Fourche River upstream of Whitewood Creek or
in the Cheyenne upstream of the Belle Fourche River. Sands were
generally more quartzite (lighter color) in these two upstream reaches,
though at Site BF-1 on the Belle Fourche some red-brown sands were
sampled. Some gray, slightly calcareous pebbles characteristic of
weathered dolomites or massive shales were encountered in addition to
quartzitic sands and pebbles.
Metal concentrations in the gray silt fraction versus the red sand
fraction were compared in samples 14B and 14F collected at Site WC-3,
samples 9A and 9C collected at Site BF-3, samples 19A and 19B collected
at Site BF-6, samples 20A and 20B collected at Site BF-6, and samples
13F and 13B collected at Site BF-7. Comparison of these data indicates
that while the red sand fractions may contain, on the average, about
twice as much mercury as does the gray silt fractions, the other metals
concentrations tend to vary widely. Specific silt and sand analyses of
sample 11H (BF-9) suggest higher (x3) arsenic'content in the red sand
as compared to the gray silt at this location.
"Bottom of the core" (or relatively deep) samples #13F, 20F, and 206,
all had low arsenic and copper concentrations relative to higher
(nearer surface) samples. These "bottom of the core" samples were
-16-
-------
collected from gravels or from beneath gravels that often occur beneath
the silts and sands. One sample of organic material with a black, silty
clay character, was sampled from a steep stream bank above the creek at
Site WC-2 (Sample 14A). This sample was found to contain a low mercury
concentration (<0.1 ppm), an average zinc concentration (68.4 ppm), an
average copper concentration (20.9 ppm), and a low arsenic concentration
(4.7 ppm) when compared to "background" samples.
Another sample (#12F) was identified as "organic (?) material" in the field
but the higher metal concentrations (than found in #14A) are thought to
rule the organic content of 12F as significantly lower than sample 14A and
instead to suggest the presence of tailings material in sample 12F. Since
this 12F sample was collected from the fresh river bank, we are not surprised
at the high metals content.
Average concentrations of metals in all samples (clay, silt, sand, and
gravel) collected downstream of the Homestake operations were calculated
to be:
Mercury: 40.6 ppm (
-------
(Sharon Springs) member of the Pierre Shale.
Of the metals measured, arsenic was present in the highest concentra-
tions. The gold mined at Homestake occurs in close association with
arsenopyrite (FeAsS). Thus, crushed ore at Homestake must contain
high concentrations of arsenopyrite. Unless arsenic and iron pyrite
are recovered the effluent should also contain high concentrations
of arsenic, sulfur, and iron. Based upon our limited knowledge of
the milling process utilized by Homestake, we presume that the arsenic
and iron are still in the chemical form of arsenopyrite at the time of
discharge.
In 1971, eighteen analyses of mercury in river alluvium sampled in the
Belle Fourche River downstream of Whitewood Creek were made. The average
mercury concentration of sediments in areas of suspected tailings as
sampled at that time was 1.6 ppm^). The range in mercury concentrations
measured in 1971 samples was quite similar to that measured in the 1972
samples, but the mean concentration was significantly higher (1.6 vs.
*0.6 ppm) in the earlier samples. The median value for 1971 sediment
samples was 1.4 ppm mercury while the median for 1972 sediment samples
was 0.4 ppm mercury. Based on the 1971 data, it had been estimated?)
that certain tailings deposits in the lower reaches of Whitewood Creek
contained about 1.8 grams of mercury per cubic meter. Based on the 1972
data, we estimate that the mercury content of the alluvial deposits of
tailings sampled in 1972 average about 0.9 grams of mercury per cubic
meter (based on an assumed sediment density of 1.5 gm/cm3 and an average
concentration of 0.6 ppm mercury). Utilizing the same 1972 data base,
we can further estimate that the tailings contain, on the average, 120 grams
of zinc per cubic meter (gm/m3), 95 gm/m3 of copper, and 3100 gm/m3 of
arsenic.
Random analyses of arsenic in sediment conducted by the Field Investiga-
tions staff averaged 2260 ppm, or quite close to the calculated average
of 2050 ppm presented early in this section for the 1972 data.
It has been estimated that a total of 1100 hectares (hectare = 10^ square
meters) along Whitewood Creek and the Belle Fourche River upstream of the
Cheyenne River contain tailings material^). If an average depth of tail-
ings were known, total amounts of metals present could be estimated.
However, the tailings occur in quite variable thicknesses and accurate
estimates of thickness are beyond the scope of this report since such
determinations would require powered drilling equipment.
The study could obtain no assistance in determing in situ leaching
rates for the alluvial materials. The metals data do suggest a general
decrease in the metals content of the sediment as one progresses down-
stream. This is evident in the mercury and copper data and less evident
in the arsenic and zinc data. Such a decrease may be caused by leaching
as well as by dilution with sediments from other watersheds containing
lower concentrations of mercury and copper.
6) pp 65 and 82-3 of report referenced in footnote 2.
7) p 31 of report referenced in footnote 2.
8) p 6 of report referenced in footnote 3.
-------
Ground Water Samples
In accordance with Recommendation #7 previously presented in the Introduction,
an effort was made to determine the amount of arsenic present in shallow wells
extant along the drainage channels of Whitewood Creek, the Belle Fourche, and
the Cheyenne Rivers. In further accord with Conclusion #4 of the investigative
report (presented and referenced in the Introduction to this report), mercury,
zinc, and copper were added to the analyses since these materials were reported
to be discharged, either "presently" or in the past, from the Homestake opera-
tion. In addition, selenium assays were included at the request of the conferees
since naturally-introduced selenium has been measured in significant quantities
in the geographical area.
A total of 19 wells were located and sampled (one of these was dug during the
sediment survey). Samples were collected from most wells at four different
times—December (1971), March, July, and October (1972). Mr. A1 Foster, then
with the State of South Dakota Health Department, assisted with the majority
of the effort. A total of 13 sites were located downstream of the Homestake
fluid discharge. A total of six sites were selected to sample water not associated
or influenced by any fluid discharge from the Homestake operations. One surface
water sample was collected, in July and October 1972, from Whitewood Creek near
Whitewood, South Dakota. The sampling locations are described in Table 3.
Essentially all active wells located near the water courses in question and
completed in the relatively shallow river alluvium were sampled. With the advent
of the Butte Meade Sanitary District water supply, there appears to be a number
of recently abandoned shallow wells throughout the area, especially near Whitewood
Creek. "Active" wells were scarce.
Spectographic analyses of five samples were accomplished by the EPA Analytical
Quality Control Laboratory in Cincinnati, Ohio. The results of these analyses
are presented in Table 4. Detectable quantities of zinc, boron, iron, manganese,
copper, vanadiunr), and barium were measured. Trace or "not detectable"concentra-
tions were measured for cadmium, aluminum, beryllium, silver, nickel, cobalt, lead,
and chromium. In terms of water quality standards for the designated uses
(domestic and stock), no well-defined problems or excesses were evident.
The results of quarterly assays for mercury, zinc, copper, arsenic, and selenium
are presented in Table 5. Note that different methods of sample preservation were
employed. One method was essentially no preservation ("raw") for samples utilized
in Hg, Zn, Cu, As, and Se assay. Replicate samples collected in July and October
were filtered in the field through 0.45 micron filter material and were acidified
with a 10% solution of nitric acid (5 ml HN03 per liter) for subsequent Hg, Zn,
Cu, and As assay. Replicate samples for selenium assay were similarly filtered
and iced. All samples for cyanide assay were treated with sodium hydroxide to
raise the pH to about 11 (S.U.) and were refrigerated. Cyanide analyses were
accomplished within two days of sample collection. Assay of "raw" samples may
reflect metal concentrations in the suspended as well as the dissolved fraction
of the sample.
Samples were collected quarterly in an attempt to reflect different pumping
rates and, therefore, different or larger sources of water.
9) The occurrence of vanadium in water samples is considered rare.
- 19 -
-------
TABLE 3
Description of Water Sampling Sites and Samples Collected along
Whitewood Creek, Belle Fourche River, and Cheyenne River, South Dakota
(December 1971 - October 1972)
WHITEWOOD CREEK (& WHITETAIL CREEK)
Site 1 T4N; R3E; SW, NE, 5 Lead Quad.
1. Samples collected: 1 Dec 71; 20 Mar 72; 18 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: Phil Martin's Conoco Station, about 2 km. SW of Glory Hole at Lead,
S. D., on U. S. Highway 85 and Alt. 14, west side of road, 75 m. west of Whitetail
Creek, a tributary (perennial) of Whitewood Creek, outside office.
3. Description of wel1: Shallow well reportedly blasted along fracture plane of
Igneous/metamorphic rock. Hand pumped. Used for domestic and other purposes.
Site 2 T4N; R3E; SW, NE, 5 Lead Quad.
1. Samples collected: 1 Dec 71; 20 Mar 72; 18 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: E. 0. Franzel - General Services Garage, about 2.1 km SW of Glory Hole
at Lead, S. D., on U. S. Highway 85 and Alt. 14, west side of road, 100 m. west
of Whitetail Creek, a tributary of Whitewood Creek, inside garage.
3. Description of wel1: Shallow well, construction unknown. Probably in rock similar
to well of Site 1. Pressure pumped; used for domestic and other purposes. Sampled
from outlet in garage area.
Site 3 T6N; R4E; NE, NE, 33 Deadwood North Quad.
1. Samples collected: 1 Dec 71; 20 Mar 72; 18 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: Clifford Johnson Residence, located about 1.3 km. south of center of
Whitewood, S. D., near site of Crook City, 300 m. NW of Whitewood Creek and Sediment
Site WC-1, on east side of divide from Centennial Prairie, inside house.>
3. Description of wel 1: Shallow to medium (ca. 20 m) depth well, probably completed
in stream alluvium. Pressure pumped, used for domestic purposes. Sampled from
inside and outside outlets, (outside 1n July 1972).
Site 4 T6N; R4E; NE, SW, 15 Sturgis Quad.
1. Samples collected: 1 Dec 71; 20 Mar 72; 18 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: Charles Wennberg Farm, about 2.5 km. NNE of the center of Whitewood, S. D.,
on east side of "Whitewood Valley Road," about 300 m. east of Whitewood Creek, in
valley, near farm buildings.
3. Description of well: Shallow well completed in alluvium. Pressure pumped. Used
for stock watering.
Site 5 T6N; R4E; SW, NE, 2 Sturgis Quad.
1. Samples collected: 1 Dec 71; 18 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: William Alan Ranch, about 4.4 km. NNE of the center of Whitewood, S. D.,
on west side of "Whitewood Valley Road," about 200 m. east of Whitewood Creek, in
valley, inside corral.
3. Description of wel1: Shallow dug well completed in alluvium, pressure pumped,
used for stock.
-20-
-------
TABLE 3 (Cont.)
Site 6 T7N; R4E; SE, NW, 25 Saint Onge, SE Quad.
1. Samples collected: 1 Dec 71; 20 Mar 72; 18 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: Ike Ala Ranch, about 7 km. NNE of center of Whitewood, S. D., 300 m.
east of Whitewood Creek across low hill, west side of Whitewood Valley Road, Inside
house.
3. Description of wel1: Shallow well of unknown completion (probably alluvium),
pressure pumped, used for domestic purposes.
BELLE FOURCHE RIVER
Site 16 (Specific location of supply not determined.)
1. Samples collected: 20 Mar 72; 18 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: Sampled at Ezra Pauley Ranch -Belle-Meade District Water Supply
(See Site 8).
3. Description: Surface water supply from Belle Fourche Reservoir, upstream of
Whitewood Creek.
Site 7 T8N; R6E; SW, SW, 20 Newell Quad.
1. Samples collected: 1 Dec 71; 20 Mar 72; 18 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: Leo Harr Stock Well, about 9 km. south of Newell, S. D., on east side of
State Highway 79, 75 m. north of Belle Fourche River in corral area, in flood plain.
3. Description of wel1: Shallow (dug) hand-pumped well, completed in river alluvium,
used for stock watering.
Site 8 T8N; R6E; SE, NW, 20 Newell Quad.
1. Samples collected: 1 Dec 71; 18 Jul 72, 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: Ezra Pauley Ranch, about 1.8 km. NE of Vale, S. D., 500 m. SE of Belle
Fourche River, immediately above the close-in flood plain.
3. Description of well: Shallow ("7m.) well completed in alluvium, formerly domestic
water supply; not now used.
Site 15 T7N; R8E; NW, SW, 28 Volunteer Quad.
1. Samples collected: 2 Dec '71; 20 Mar 72; 19 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: Fred Schummer Ranch, about 4.5 km. NW of Volunteer, S. D., and 2.5 km.
north of State Highway 24, 500 m. west of Belle Fourche River beside minor tributary
to Belle Fourche River.
3. Description of well: Shallow well, probably completed in alluvium, pressure pumped,
used for domestic purposes.
Site 14 T6N; R8E; SE, SE, 2 Volunteer Quad.
1. Samples collected: 2 Dec 71; 20 Mar 72; 19 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: David Richards Residence, about 700 m. SE of Volunteer, S. D., on south
side of State Highway 24, 150 m. north of Belle Fourche River on bluff above river.
3. Description of wel1: Shallow well, completion not known, used for domestic purposes;
pressure pumped.
-21-
-------
TABLE 3 (Cont.)
Site 13 T6N; R8E; SE, SE, 2 Volunteer Quad.
1. Samples collected: 2 Dec 71; 20 Mar 72; 19 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: David Richards Farm, about 750 m. SE of Volunteer, S. D., on south side
of State Highway 24, 75 m. north of Belle Fourche River, on bluff above river.
3. Description of well: Shallow (dug) well, completed 1n alluvium, pressure pumped,
used for stock watering.
Site 18 T6N; R8E; SE, SE, 2 Volunteer Quad.
1. Samples collected: 19 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: David Richards Farm - Tenants' House, about 800 m. SE of Volunteer, S. D.,
on south side of State Highway 24, 75 m. north of Belle Fourche River, on bluff above
river.
3. Description of wel1: Shallow well, completed in alluvium, pressure pumped, used for
domestic purposes.
Site 17 T5N; R12E; SE, SW, 27 Elm Springs, SW Quad.
1. Samples collected: 21 Mar 72; 19 Jul 72; 17 Oct 72.
2. Location: Mooney Ranch, about 11.2 km. NW of Elm Springs, 6.5 km. upstream of
Elm Springs, S. D., road bridge across Belle Fourche River, 300 m. east and 600 m.
north of Belle Fourche River, in flood plain.
3. Description of well: Shallow (dug) stock well, pumped.
Site 12 T5N; R12E; SE, SW, 27 Elm Springs, SW Quad.
1. Samples collected: 2 Dec 71; 21 Mar 72; 19 Jul 72; 17 Oct 72.
2. Location: Mooney Ranch about 11.2 km NW of Elm Springs, S. D., 6.5 km. upstream
of Elm Springs road bridge across Belle Fourche River, 300 m. NE of Belle Fourche
River, in flood plain.
3. Description of well: Shallow (dug) well, completed in alluvium, pressure pumped,
used for stock watering.
Site 20 (Sediment Site BF-5) T8N; R7E; SE, NW, 27 Vale NE Quad.
1. Samples collected: 20 Jul 72.
2. Location: West bank of Belle Fourche River, 17 m. downstream of bridge, 10 m.
west of river, 12 km. east of Vale, S. D.
3. Description of wel1: Shallow (1.2 m.), dug well at bottom of core hole. Water
encountered at 1 m.
CHEYENNE RIVER
Site 9 TIN; R14E; NW, NE, 9 Wasta Quad.
1. Samples collected: 2 Dec 71; 21 Mar 72; 19 Jul 72; 17 Oct 72.
2. Location: Interstate-90 Rest Area, eastbound side, about 1 km. SE of Wasta, S. D.,
and 400 m. SE of Belle Fourche River. Water supplied either from shallow wells or
springs in near vicinity.
3. Description: Water supply from springs/wells in vicinity of Wasta, S. D., used for
domestic purposes.
-22-
-------
TABLE 3 (Cont.)
Site 10 TIN; R14E; NE, SE, 2 Wasta Quad.
1. Samples collected: 2 Dec 71; 21 Mar 72; 19 Jul 72; 17 Oct 72.
2. Location: Dean Schel1 Ranch, about 4.2 km east of Wasta, S. D., 600 m. east of
Belle Fourche River, beside Bull Creek arid 1n flood plain of Belle Fourche River.
3. Description of well: Shallow well, probably completed in alluvium, pressure pumped,
used for domestic purposes.
Site 11 (Bull Creek) TIN; R15E; SW, SW, 7 Wasta, SE Quad.
1. Samples collected: 2 Dec 71; 21 Mar 72; 19 Jul 72; 17 Oct 72.
2. Location: Jerry Schell Ranch, about 7.4 km. SE of Wasta, S. D., on west side of
Interstate 90, about 4 km. SE of Belle Fourche River beside intermittent tributary
to Belle Fourche River (Bull Creek).
3. Description of well: Shallow well, unknown completion, pressure pumped, used for
stock water and formerly for domestic purposes (Dec 71). Note: Well not used for
stock since stock well apparently detrimentally affected by either the water or
locally-grown feed.
WHITEWOOD CREEK - SURFACE WATER
Site 19 (Sediment Site WC-2) T6N; R4E; NW, NW, 22 Sturgis Quad.
1. Samples collected: 20 Jul 72; 16 Oct 72.
2. Location: Whitewood Creek at crossing of Whitewood Valley Road, 1.2 km. north of
Whltewood, S. D. (new location of road on Sturgis Quad.).
-23-
-------
TABLE 4
RESULTS OF SPECTROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF
SELECTED WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM SHALLOW WELLS
ALONG ffHTTFWOOD CREEK, BELLE FOURCHE RIVER, AND CHEYENNE "RIVER
December 1971^
Sample
Location
(Site) No.
Water
Use
Stream
Nearby
Total Concentrations (mq/1)
Zn
Cd
B
Fe
Mn
A1
Be
Cu
Ag
N1
Co
Pb [ Cr
V
Ba
5
Stock
Whitewood
Creek
0.040
(0.0842'
<0.020
0.080
0.040
0.160
<0.040
<0.0001
0.020
(<0.01)
<0.002
<0.020
<0.020
0.080 <0.020
0.040
0.006
8
Domestic
(not used)
Belle
Fourche
River
0.080
(0.155)
<0.040
0.600
0.080
<0.040
<0.080
<0.0002
<0.040
(<0.01)
<0.004
<0.040
<0.040
<0.080
<0.040
0.080
0.008
14
Stock
Belle
Fourche
River
<0.020
(0.060)
<0.020
0.400
0.200
0.400
<0.040
<0.0001
<0.020
(<0.01)
<0.002
<0.020
<0.020
<0.040
<0.020
<0.040
<0.004
10
Domestic
Cheyenne
River
0.190-3'
(0.335)
<0.050
0.580
<0.050
<0.050
<0.100
<0.0003
0.052
(0.04)
<0.005
<0.050
<0.050
<0.100
<0.050
<0.100
<0.010
11
Stock
and
Domestic
Cheyenne
River
(Bull Creek)
<0.050
(0.006)
<0.050
0.850
<0.050
0.090
<0.100
<0.0003
0.050
(0.05)
<0.005
I
<0.050 | <0.050
i
i
i
<0.100
<0.050
0.100
0.010
->
1) Analyses by EPA Analytical Quality Central Laboratory - samples neither filtered nor preserved.
2) Analyses of replicate samples by EPA Region VIII Laboratory - samples neither filtered nor preserved.
3) Average of two (replicate) analyses for all parameters.
-------
TABLE S
RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ASSAY FOR
MERCURY, ZINC. COPPER, ARSENIC, SELENIUM, AND CYANIDE
IN WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM SHALLOW WELLS ALONG
WHITEWOOD CREEK, BELLE FOURCHE RIVER, AND CHEYENNE RIVER, SOUTH DAKOTA
(December 1971 - October 1972)
Sample
Location
(Site) No.
Water
Use
Location
Relative to
Homestake
Stream
Nearby
MERCURY (uq/1) fl ZINC (mq/1)
Dec 71
Raw
Mar 72
Raw
JUL 72 OCT 72
Mar 72
Raw
JUL 72
OCT 72
Mean
Filtered/Raw
hno3 7
Filtered/Raw
hno3 7
Mean*
pec 71
[ Raw
Filtered Raw
hno3
Fil terec11 Raw
hno3
1
Domestic
Upstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.20
<0.2
0.23 <0.2
<0.20 <0.20
<0.20
0.058
0.97
0.022 0.020
0.060 '0.025
0.19
2
Domestic
Upstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.20
<0.2
0.28 <0.2
<0.20 0.21
-0.21
0.705
0.28
0.400 0.380
0.380 0.710
0.48
3
Domestic
Downstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.20
0.3
0.33 <0.2
<0.20 0.25
-0.25
0.018
<0 -05
0.024 <0.005
0.045 0.010
SO. 02
4
Stock
Downstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.20
0.4
0.38 <0.2
<0.20 0.21
0.26
0.390
0.13
0.550 <0.006
0.220 0.170
0.24
5
Stock
Downstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.20
N/S
0.38 <0.2
<0.20 0.21
-0.24
0.084
N/S
0.130 <0.005
0.250 0.025
0.10
6
Domestic
Downstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.20
<0.2
0.38 <0.2
<0.20 0.21
i0.23
0.150
0.14
0.150 <0.005
0.060 0.040
0.09
16
Domestic
Upstream
Butte-Meade San.Dist.
(Deep wel1s)
N/S
<0.2
0.40 <0.2
<0.20 <0.20
50.20
N/S
0.11
0.026 <0.005
0.060 0.130
0.07
7
Stock
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
<0.20
<0.2
(1.46) 0.26
Suspect
<0.20 <0.20
i0.21
0.725
0.28
0.570 0.009
0.340 0.020
0.32
8
Domestic
(not used)
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
<0.20
N/S
0.54 <0.2
<0.20 <0.20
-0.27
0.155
N/S
0.013 <0.005
0.150 0.025
0.07
15
Domestic
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
0.21
<0.2
0.61 <0.2
<0.20 0.21
<0.27
0.550
0.22
0.640 <0.005
0.460 0.590
0.41
14
Stock
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
<0.20
<0.2
0.65 <0.2
<0.20 <0.20
<0.27
0.060
0.74
0.140 <0.005
0.150 0.020
0.18
13
Domestic
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
<0.20
<0.2
0.56 <0.2
<0.20 <0.20
<0.26
0.695
0.72
0.110 0.640
0.400 0.310
0.48
18
Domestic
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
N/S
N/S
0.76 <0.2
0.21 <0.20
<0.34
N/S
N/S
0.540 0.150
0.040 0.015
0.19
17
Stock
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
N/S
<0.2
0.57 0.30
<0.20 <0.20
<0.29
N/S
<0.05
<0-005 0.032
0.025 0.070
<0.04
12
Stock
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
<0.20
0.2
0.56 0.22
<0.20 <0.20
<0.26
0.013
0.08
0.050 0.053
0.030 0.040
0.04
9
Domestic
Upstream
Cheyenne River
<0.20
<0.2
0.48 <0.2
<0.20 <0.20
<0.25
0.420
0.28
0.150 0.140
0.490 0.480
0.33
10
Domestic
Upstream
Cheyenne River
<0.20
<0.2
0.56 <0.2
<0.20 <0.20
<0.26
0.335
0.64
0.240 0.370
0.210 0.130
0.32
11
Stock &
Domestic
Upstream
Cheyenne River
(Bull Creek)
<0.20
0.2
0.56 <0.2
<0.20 <0.20
<0.26
0.006
0.18
0.044 <0.005
0.120 0.075
0.07
20
Dug well
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
(BF-5)
N/S
N/S
0.60 N/S
N/S N/S
0.60
N/S
N/S
0.046 N/S
N/S N/S
0.05
19
Surface
Water
Downstream
Whitewood Creek
N/S
N/S
0.50 1.50
<0.20 5.48
<0.35/
3.49"
N/S
N/S
0.006 <0.005
0.022 <0.010
<0.01
*See text.
**F11tered/unfi1tered.
N/S = Not sampled.
-------
TABLE 5 (Cont.)
RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ASSAY FOR
MERCURY, ZINC, COPPER, ARSENIC, SELENIUM, AND CYANIDE
IN WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM SHALLOW WELLS ALONG
WHITEWOOD CREEK, BELLE FOURCHE RIVER, AND CHEYENNE RIVER, SOUTH DAKOTA
(December 1971 - October 1972)
Sample
Location
(Site) No.
Water
Use
Location
Relative to
Homes take
Stream Nearby
rriPPFR fmn/n
ARSENIC (ma/1)
Dec 71
Raw
Mar 72
Raw
JUL 72
OCT 72
Mean
Dec 71
Raw
Mar 72
Raw
JUL 72
OCT 72
Mean
Filtered /Raw
hno3 /
Filtered /Raw
HN03 /
riltered /Raw
HN03 /
Fi ltered/ Raw
HN03 /
1
Domestic
Upstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.01
0.02
<0.005 <0.005
<0.005 <0.005
SO.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.010 <0.010
<0.005 <0.005
<0.01
2
Domestic
Upstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.01
<0.02
<0.005 0.010
0.006 <0.005
^0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.010 <0.01C
<0.005 <0.005
<0.01
3
Domestic
Downstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.01
0.06
<0.005 <0.005
0.019 0.005
<0.02
<0.01
<0.01
<0.010 <0.01C
0.005 <0.005
<0.01
4
Stock
Downstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.01
<0.02
<0.005 <0.005
0.010 <0.005
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.010 <0.01C
0.005 0.005
<0.01
5
Stock
Downstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.01
N/S
0.027 <0.005
0.014 0.006
^o.Ol
0.01
N/S
<0.010 <0.01 c
0.005 <6.005
<0.01
6
Domestic
Downstream
Whitewood Creek
<0.01
<0.02
0.005 <0.005
0.006 0.006
SO. 01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.010 <0.010
0.005 <0.005
<0.01
16
Domestic
Upstream
Butte-Meade San.Dist.
(Deep wel1s)
N/S
0.14
0.011 0.012
0.032 0.054
0.05
N/S
<0.01
<0.010 <0.010
<0.005 0.005
<0.01
7
Stock
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
<0.01
<0.02
0.006 <0.005
0.024 0.016
10.01
0.02
<0.01
<0.010 <0.01 c
0.005 0.010
0.01
8
Domestlc
(not used^
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
<0.01
N/S
0.007 0.013
0.013 0.010
0.01
0.01
N/S
<0.010 <0.010
<0.005 <0.005
<0.01
15
Domestic
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
0.02
0.02
0.005 <0.005
0.010 0.010
0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.010 <0.010
<0.005 0.005
<0.01
14
Stock
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
<0.01
0.02
<0.005 <0.005
0.024 0.020
SO.01
0.03
<0.01
<0.010 <0.010
<0.005 0.005
0.01
13
Domesti c
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
<0.01
0.02
<0.005 <0.005
0.016 0.010
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.010 <0.010
<0.005 <0.005
<0.01
18
Domestic
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
N/S
N/S
<0.005 0.007
0.018 0.010
0.01
N/S
N/S
<0.010 <0.010
0.005 0.005
<0.01
17
Stock
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
N/S
<0.02
0.005 0.008
0.022 0.010
0.01
N/S
<0.01
<0.010 <0.010
<0.005 <0.005
<0.01
12
Stock
¦ Downstream
Belle Fourche River
<0.01
<0.02
0.005 0.006
0.014 0.007
0.01
0.03
0.02
<0.010 <0.010
0.005 <0.005
0.01
q
Domesti c
Upstream
Cheyenne River
0.05
0.09
0.041 0.029
0.062 0.050
0.05
<0.01
<0.01
<0.010
-------
TABLE 5 (Cont.)
RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ASSAY FOR
MERCURY, ZINC, COPPER, ARSENIC, SELENIUM, AND CYANIDE
IN WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM SHALLOW WELLS ALONG
WHITEWOOD CREEK, BELLE FOURCHE RIVER, AND CHEYENNE RIVER, SOUTH DAKOTA
(December 1971 - October 1972)
Sample
Location
(Site) No.
Water
Use
Location
Relative to
Homestake
Stream Nearby
SELENIUM [mq/l)
CYANTDF (mn/n
Dec 71
| Raw
Mar 72
Raw
Jul 72
Filtered
(Iced)
Oct 72
Filtered
(Iced)
Mean
Mar 72
**
Jul 72
Oct 72
Me'an
1
Domestic
Upstream
Whitewood Creek J <0.002
0.002
0.005
0.002
0.002
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
2
Domestic
Upstream
Whitewood Creek | <0.002
<0.002
<0.002
0.002
<0.002
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
3
Domestic
Downstream
Whitewood Creek 1 <0.002
<0.002
0.002
0.004
0.002
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
4
Stock
Downstream
Whitewood Creek j <0.002
<0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
5
Stock
Downstream
Whitewood Creek I <0.002
N/S
0.002
<0.002
<0.002
N/S
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
6
Domestic
Downstream
Whitewood Creek 1 <0.002
0.003
0.002
0.003
0.002
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
16
Domestic
Upstream
Butte-Meade San.Dist.
(Deep wells)
N/S
0.003
<0.002
<0.002
-0.002
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
7
Stock
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
<0.002
<0.002
<0.002
0.003
<0.002
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
8
Domestic
(not used)
Downstream
Belle Fourche River
0.002
N/S
<0.002
0.002
<0.002
N/S
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
15
Domestic
Downstream
Belle Fourche River [ <0.002
<0.002
<0.002
<0.002
<0.002
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
14
Stock
Downstream
Belle Fourche River J 0.003
0.002
0.008
0.007
0.005
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
13
Domestic
Downstream
Belle Fourche River | 0.021
0.013
0.016
0.016
0.018
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
18
Domestic
Downstream
Belle Fourche River B N/S
N/S
0.006
0.002
0.004
N/S
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
17
Stock
Downstream
Belle Fourche River 1 N/S
I*
0.022
0.015
0.018
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
12
Stock
Downstream
Belle Fourche River S <0.002
0.012
0.013
0.015
0.010
<0.02
<0.05
<0.01
<0.02
9
Domestic
Upstream
Cheyenne River I 0.010
0.010
0.005
0.005
0.008
<0.02
<0.05
-------
However, the early summer months were generally wetter than normal
and pumping rates are considered to have remained the same through-
out the sampling period. Wells were not pumped extensively prior to
actual sampling since our purpose was to measure concentrations in
the water at the time the water was used.
10)
The surface water samples collected from Whitewood Creek in July and
October show significant mercury (compared to well samples) in the
suspended portion of the samples (avg. 3.5 yg/1). As will be explained
later, no wells sampled are believed to have contained significant con-
centrations of mercury. This surface water collected in October 1972
provided the only water sample found to contain cyanide with its single
analysis indicating 0.30 mg/1 CN, a concentration in excess of 0.02 mg/1,
the "allowable concentration of trace ions in farmstead waters." To our
knowledge, the waters of Whitewood Creek represented by this single
analysis are not used. No well, as sampled, contained detectable cyanide
(Table 5). Zinc and copper were detected in these surface waters
(Whitewood Creek) at concentrations averaging ^0.01 mg(Zn)/l and 0.02 mg
(Cu)/1, both of which appear low. Arsenic was detected at as high a con-
centration as 0.32 mg/1 and averaged 0.14 mg/1. Both concentrations are
in excess of the recommended limit for domestic and stock use of 0.05 mg/1.
Prior to summarizing the metals data for the subsurface waters, attention
must be called to the mercury concentrations measured for filtered and
acidified "HNO3" samples collected in July 1972 (Table 5). Of all the
analyses conducted, only this July set showed readily detectable quanti-
ties of mercury. The consistency of the concentrations determined for
these July samples leads us to suspect that they have all been contaminated,
probably by the preservative, nitric acid. We have insufficient informa-
tion to derive any other reason, such as infiltration of mercury-laden
ground or surface water, to account for the rise in all samples. Rein-
forcing the contamination hypothesis is the fact that the well at Site 8
was not used during the sampling period (December 1971 through October 1972)
and, thus, an anomalously high value reported for its July 1972 sample
(0.54 yg/1) is suspect. If the mercury contamination were accompanied by
zinc, copper, or arsenic contamination, the decreased sensitivity for the
latter metals could prevent detection}!)It is recommended that a few sam-
ples be collected from these wells in July 1973, to verify the absence
of any large increase in mercury concentrations, an absence we have
assumed for this report.
As noted earlier, neither mercury nor cyanide was detected in either
notable or consistently detectable quantities, in any wells, either up-
stream or downstream of the Homestake operations. Minor concentrations
of mercury were detected in a few "raw" samples, indicating that some
mercury was present in the suspended fractions of the samples. Arsenic
was measured as present to the extent of 0.03 mg/1 at two wells in
December 1971 (Sites 14 and 12) and at 0.02 mg/1 in December 1971 at one
site (7) and again in March 1972 at Site 12. July and October samples
10) Surface water samples collected downstream from the Homestake operations.
11) Analytical methods used for zinc, copper, and arsenic often have sensitivitie
on order of magnitude higher (less sensitive) than that used for mercury
assay.
-------
contained essentially "no arsenic (<0.01 mg/1). The higher concentra-
tions approach, but do not exceed, the recommended limit of 0.05 mg As/1
for domestic and stock use. Site 12 may deserve periodic checking for
arsenic. A well dug in tailings contained water with a dissolved con-
centration of 4 mg As/1 (Site BF-5; sediment contained 2430 ppm As).
Selenium was found to be present in moderately high concentrations in
the lower Belle Fourche River and Cheyenne drainages. The highest con-
centration measured in the Whitewood Creek drainage was 0.005 mg/1
(at Site 1). The domestic well at Site 13, on the Belle Fourche River,
contained the highest concentration in domestic water (0.21 mg Se/1 in
December 1971) and the selenium concentration averaged 0.18 mg/1 at
Site 13. The stock well at Site 17 showed the highest single value for
stock water (0.22 mg Se/1 in July 1972) and also averaged (2 samples)
0.18 mg Se/1. All of these values exceed the recommended limit concen-
tration for selenium (0.01 mg/1). Also exhibiting concentrations equal
to or in excess of the limit concentration were samples from Sites 12,
9, and 11.
Selenium analyses of soils have not yet been accomplished to the extent
that we cannot refine any correlation between the selenium in water and
the geology. The occurrence of selenium appears to correlate with the
more recent shales of the Plains area rather than the igneous and meta-
morphic rocks of the Black Hills uplift.12)
Zinc and copper remain to be summarized. All zinc concentrations in
water were below 1.0 mg/1 and thus were well below the threshold taste
level for domestic supplies of 5.0 mg/1. Concentrations of zinc varied
over two orders of magnitude from place-to-place and time-to-time. The
highest concentration measured was for a sample collected near Whitewood
Creek at Site 1 (0.97 mg Zn/1).
Copper was detected at all sampling sites. As was the case with zinc,
concentrations varied widely from <0.005 mg Cu/1 to 0.14 mg Cu/1; the
latter measured for the Butte Meade Sanitary District supply which is
derived from deep wells (March 1972, Site 16; value not repeated).
However, concentrations were below the recommended limit for domestic
uses of 1.0 mg Cu/1. Generally higher concentrations of copper were
found in the Cheyenne River drainage (all upstream of the Belle Fourche
River) as opposed to the Belle Fourche River drainage.
In summary, the only metal found in water in potentially detrimental
concentrations was selenium. Selenium is not known to be nor was it
evident that it was related to the Homestake fluid discharge but was
rather related to the geology of the lower Cheyenne River Basin water-
shed. Arsenic was found to be present primarily in samples collected
early in the program (December-March as opposed to July-October), and
was in concentrations of 0.03 ± 0.01 mg As/1 in two stock wells located
along the Belle Fourche River (in December samples only). Mercury con-
centrations were assumed (assumed because of probable mercury contamina-
tion of one set of samples) to be low (0.20 yg/1), with trace amounts
12) See discussion of metals contained in Pierre Shale in previous section.
-29-
-------
detected in only a few wells along the Belle Fourche River. Zinc
and copper concentrations appeared related more to the general geo-
hydrology of the watershed area than to the Homestake operations.
A single water sample collected from a fresh hole dug into the allu-
vial tailings at Site 20 contained low concentrations of mercury (?);.'
zinc, and copper, but a very high concentration (dissolved) of arsenic
(4 mg/1). This may indicate that the tailings materials-, once oxidized,
may release arsenic more readily than fresher, dark-gray tailings (see
Site 19, Whitewood Creek, where the arsenic concentration in water
averaged 0.14 mg/1), since an appreciable thickness of oxidized material
was encountered at Site 20.
It appears, from the data received to date, that shallow wells in the
vicinity of Whitewood Creek and the Belle Fourche River are not detri-
mentally affected by the higher concentrations of mercury, cyanide, or
arsenic contained (either presently or in the past) in these surface
water channels. It may be that (1) much of the mercury and arsenic
has been contained in the suspended fraction of these streams and has
been filtered out prior to reaching the wells, and (2) that the river
alluvium, in which the wells were completed, serves to recharge, rather
than be recharged by, the surface streams and thus that dissolved metals
contained in surface waters will not be detected in most wells unless
the wells are pumped at a high rate.
This analysis was complicated by the lack of recent mercury and other
metals data for surface waters of the area.
13)
Possible contamination, as discussed previously, may avoid any of these
relatively minor conclusions regarding mercury.
-------
SUMMARY
Alluvial sediments of a character similar to both fresh (dark gray
silt) tailings as discharged from the Homestake mining and milling
operations, and reddish-brown "oxidized" sands and silts probably
discharged from older milling operations, were identified from aerial
photographs and ground-truth data as covering in excess of 100 hectares
of bank and abandoned meander channels along Whitewood Creek and the
Belle Fourche River from its confluence with Whitewood Creek downstream
to its confluence with the Cheyenne River. The depth of these deposits
ranges from a few centimeters to perhaps three meters with the thinner
surficial deposits varying in location according to the flow rate and
the other deposits interbedded along the banks with sands and silts
from other locales.
Concentrations of mercury in sediment samples collected from tailings-
like deposits downstream of Homestake ranged from <0.1 ppm to 4.1 ppm
and averaged ^0.6 ppm Hg. Concentrations of zinc ranged from 44 ppm
to 229 ppm, and averaged 81 ppm. Concentrations of copper ranged from
23 ppm to 94 ppm, and averaged 63 ppm. Concentrations of arsenic ranged
from 120 ppm to 11770 ppm, and averaged 2050 ppm. Compared to samples
from background locations, mercury concentrations were six-fold higher
in downstream {of Homestake) sediments, zinc concentrations were constant,
copper concentrations were three-fold higher, and arsenic concentrations
were 200-fold higher in downstream sediments.
Ground water samples from shallow wells were assayed. No contamination
of wells from surface waters downstream of the Homestake mining and
milling operations could be identified with any degree of certainty. Of
all analyses (Hg, Zn, Cu, As, Se, CN), only those for selenium showed
detrimentally high concentrations and the locations with high concentra-
tions were in the area of Volunteer, South Dakota, farther downstream
on the Belle Fourche River, andnear Wasta, South Dakota, on the
Cheyenne River. While arsenic concentrations were not consistently
detected (>0.01 mg/1) a few water samples did contain arsenic in concen-
trations (0.03 - 0.02 mg/1) approaching the 'limit' of 0.05 mg/1.
Thus, with the exception of selenium concentrations in certain wells,
those wells sampled appeared, at the time of sampling, to be acceptable
for their designated uses, in terms of mercury, zinc, copper, arsenic,
and cyanide content. No impact upon water quality from leaching of
river alluvium was identified, but a surface water sampling program
was not conducted to verify this lack of impact.
-------
APPENDIX I
GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GEOLOGIC INFORMATION
SOUTH DAKOTA - BLACK HILLS
Roberts, Wm. L. & Geo. Rapp, Jr., 1965 - Mineralogy of the Black Hills,
Bull. #18, S. D. School of Mines & Technology, Espe Printing Co.,
Rapid City, S. D.
Paige, Sidney, 1924, Geology of the Region Around Lead, S. D., and
Its Bearing on the Homestake Ore Body, USDI, USGS, Bull. 765, USGPO.
Fulton, Chas. H., M. E., 1904 - Metallurgical Practice in the Black
Hills of South Dakota, Bull. #7 of the South Dakota School of Mines,
Dept. of Metallurgy, Rapid City, S. D., The Rapid City Daily Journal
Print.
Darton, N. H., 1909, Geology and Water Resources of the Black Hills and
Adjoining Regions in South Dakota and Wyoming. USDI, USGS -
Professional Paper 65, USGPO.
Sales, John K., 1968 Regional Tectonic Setting and Mechanics of Origin
of the Black Hills Uplift in Wyoming, Geological Association,
20th Field Conference Guidebook, Sept. 23-25, 1968. Black Hills
Area, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Mtn. States Lith., Casper, Wyo.
Black Hills Mining Men's Assoc., 1904, "Papers Read before the Black
Hills Mining Men's Association at their Regular Monthly Meetings, on
the Mining and Metallurgy of Black Hills Ores, together with a brief
outline of the Mining Industry of the Black Hills, and some Statis-
tics Relating to the Output of Gold from the District," Omaha Printing
Co., Omaha.
Robinson, Chas. S., Wm. J. Mapel, & Maximilian H. Bergendahl, 1964,
"Stratigraphy and Structure of the Northern and Western Flanks of
the Black Hills Uplift, Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota," USDI,
USGS, Professional Paper 404, USGPO.
Ziegler, Victor, 1914, The Minerals of the Black Hills, South Dakota
School of Mines, Bull. #10, Dept. of Geology and Mineralogy, Rapid ,
City, S. D.
Connolly, Joseph P., 1927, "The Tertiary Mineralization of the Northern
Black Hills," South Dakota School of Mines, Bull. #15, Depts. of
Geology and Mineralogy, Rapid City, S. D.
Connolly, Joseph P. and Cleophas C. 0"Harra, 1929, "The Mineral Wealth
of the Black Hills," South Dakota School of Mines, Bull. #16,
Depts. of Geology and Mineralogy, Rapid City, S. D.
Page, Lincoln R. and others, 1953, "Pegmatite Investigations 1942-1945,
Black Hills, S. D., USDI, USGS, Professional Paper 247, USGPO.
Anon - 1968 - "Pegmatites and Other Precambrian Rocks in the Southern
Black Hills," six papers by various authors,USDI, USGS, Professional
Paper 297, USGPO.
1-1
-------
GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GEOLOGIC INFORMATION
SOUTH DAKOTA - BLACK HILLS
(continued)
Tourtelot, Harry A., 1918 - Preliminary Investigation of the Geologic
Setting and Chemical Composition of the Pierre Shale, Great Plains
Region, USDI, USGS - Professional Paper #390, USGPO.
Rader, L. F. and F. S. Grimaldi, 1961 - Chemical Analyses for Selected
Minor Elements in Pierre Shale, USDI, USGS - Professional Paper #391-A.
Barnett, Paul R. , 1961 - Spectrographs Analysis for Selected Minor Elements
in Pierre Shale, USDI, USGS - Professional Paper #391-B.
-------
APPENDIX II
CORE LOG
SITE WC-2
SD-SED-5C (CORE) "ORIGINAL"
Collected: 18 Jul 72, 1100 hrs., Whitewood Creek nr Whitewood, S. D.
Total Core Length: 30 cm.
DESCRIPTION
0.0 -
1 .3
cm.
- Dark gray silt, clayey sheen on fresh,
wet face.
1.3 -
8.1
cm.
- Red-brown silt, prominent at 2.0 to 2.5 cm.
and 6.8 to 7.9 cm.; similar to iron oxide
staining, interbedded with similar dark
gray silt.
8.1 -
25.0
cm.
- Dark gray silt, clayey sheen on fresh,
wet face.
25.0 -
30.0
cm.
- Encountered pebble, 1.8 cm. x 3.8 cm.,
rounded quartzose sandstone, with Iron
staining throughout.
'DUPLICATE" ¦
¦ (Replicate of SD-SED-5C)
:h: 18
cm.
0.0 -
1.3
cm.
- Dark gray silt.
1.3 -
4.3
cm.
- Red-brown quartz sand interbedded with
minor gray silt. 2.3 cm. layer at top
grades to 0.2 cm. stringers toward bottom.
4.3 -
5.1
cm.
- Red-brown sandy silt interbedded with dark
gray silt in discontinuous lenses.
5.1 -
16.0
cm.
- Dark gray silt, clayey sheen on fresh, wet
surface.
16.0 -
17.3
cm.
- Minor thin layers of brownish-red silt inter
bedded with dark gray silt.
17.3 -
17.8
cm.
- Dark gray silt.
II-l
-------
APPENDIX-II
SITE WC-7
SD-SED-8A
CORF I nG
(CONTINUED)
Collected: 18 Jul 72, 1515 hrs., 30 m. upstream of bridge over Whitewood Cr.
Total Depth: 107 cm.
0 - 1.8 cm. -
1.8 - 7.9 cm. -
7.9 - 18.3 cm. -
18.3 - 27.3 cm. -
SD-SED-8B (CORE GENERALLY DRY)
DESCRIPTION
Dark gray silt intermixed with brownish-red sands,
grading downward to gray silt.
Dark gray silt.
Dark gray sandy silt mixed with brown sand
(fine sand), grading downward to silt.
Dark gray silt with one minor lens of reddish-
brown sandy silt at about 26.7 cm.
SD-SED-8C
27.3 -
28.2
cm.
- Dark gray sandy silt, dry.
28.2 -
32.5
cm.
- Reddish-brown sand, non-cohesive.
32.5 -
37.6
cm.
- Reddish-brown sand with minor dark gray silt,
somewhat cohesive.
37.6 -
38.9
cm.
- Gray silty sand.
38.9 -
41.9
cm.
- Red-brown silty sand, quartzitic sand in
0.5 cm. bed at base.
41.9 -
46.5
cm.
- Gray sandy silt.
46.5 -
50.0
cm. -
50.0 -
51.6
cm. -
51.6 -
60.4
cm. -
60.4 -
63.8
cm. -
63.8 -
79.5
cm. -
Gray to dark brown sandy silt.
Dark silt in 1.3 cm. sand, somewhat plastic.
Dark brown to gray silty sand grading to
brown sand in lower 0.8 cm.
Gray-brown silt.
Brownish quartzitic sand with only minor silt.
SD-SED-8D
79.5 - 81.8 cm. - Dark gray silty sand with some brownish-red
staining at irregular locations.
81.8 -101.6 cm. - Gray-brown silty sand grading slightly to
brown sand in lower 7.6 cm.
101.6 -107.0 cm. - Remainder of core "lost" through compression
during sample extraction.
11-2
-------
APPENDIX II
CORF. LOG
(CONTINUED)
SITE BF-4
SD-SED-10
Collected: 18 Jul 72, 1700 hrs., Belle Fourche River nr Vale, 30 m.
upstream of bridge, west bank.
Total Length: 45.7 cm.
DESCRIPTION
0-1.3 cm. - Gray s11t and quartz sand, non-cohesive
giving a dark gray appearance speckled
with lighter brown.
1.3 - 2.5 cm. - Gray silt in layer (somewhat cohesive with
brown-red stringer 0.06 cm. thick at base).
2.5 - 8.4 cm. - Silty sand, gray and brown; gray silt and
quartz sand similar to 0 - 1.3 cm. interval.
8.4 -14.0 cm. - Predominantly reddish-brown sand with minor
grayish silt with minor stringers 0.02 cm.
thick of reddish-brown silt.
14.0 -31.6 cm. - Reddish-brown sand with subdued foliation
delineated by light-brown quartzitic sand.
31.6 -45.7 cm. - Core lost.
On-site examination indicated that red-brown
sands continued to full 46 cm. depth of hole
where they gave way to gravels.
11-3
-------
APPENDIX II
CORE LOG
(CONTINUED)
SITE BF-5
SD-SED-18A (DRYISH)
Collected: 20 Jul 72, 1400 hrs., Belle Fourche River, east bank,
17 m. downstream of bridge.
Total Depth: 168 cm. to sand; water at 90 cm.
DESCRIPTION
0 - 1.5 cm. - Dark gray sandy silt.
1.5 - 7.1 cm. - Light brown to yellowish-brown silt inter-
bedded with minor lenses of gray silt (clayey?)
7.1 - 17.0 cm. - Red-brown sand, minor silt, numerous roots
in lower half; brownish quartzitic sand at
base.
17.0 - 20.0 cm. - Light brown to yellowish-brown silt grading
to reddish-brown silt in lower 0.5 cm.
20.0 - 22.9 cm. - Dark gray silt, with minor black silt in lens
(organlcs?); grades from reddish-brown silt
at top of Interval.
22.9 - 31.2 cm. - Red-brown sand (fine) grades in first 1 cm.
to brown and quartzitic sand with large lens
of dark gray silt at 29.7 ("nodule"?).
SD-SED-18B (WETTER)
31.2 - 35.6 cm. - Dark gray silt.
35.6 - 44.7 cm. - Dark gray sandy silt, grading from reddish-
brown 1n upper 3.6 cm. to dark gray below.
Some gray silt at base.
44.7 - 59.2 cm. - Dark gray silt, wet with minor reddlsh^brown
streaks, numerous fibrous pieces (twigs?)
throughout, fine varves (layers) visible at
places.
SD-SED-18C (QUITE WET)- 20 cm. of 30 cm. total (10 cm. lost)
59.2 - 87.6 cm. - Dark gray silt with minor brown silt in
lenses, roots (?) in upper two-thirds of
core.
S0-SED-18D (WET)
87.6 - 120.6 cm. - Dark gray silt, clayey at base, minor
roots (?) and black silt.
SD-SED-18E (VERY WET) - 15 cm. of top in 18F jar.
120.6 - 135.8 cm. - In jar - sample 18F.
135.8 - 153.6 cm. - Coarse brown quartzitic sand interbedded
with dark gray silt 1n a few ill-defined
beds and intermixed.
153.6 - 168.0 cm. - Remained in hole - not recoverable.
11-4
-------
APPENDIX 11
CORE LOG
(CONTINUED)
SITE BF-7
SD-SED-13C
Collected: 19 Jul 72, 1520 hrs., 6 m. upstream from bridge; 13 m.
from north bank of Belle Fourche River.
Total Depth: 91,5 cm,
DESCRIPTION
0 - 3.8 cm. - Dark gray silt and brown sand.
3.8 - 7.1 cm. - Dark gray silt, somewhat plastic, with
minor black (organic?) silt, grading
downward to brownish sand; roots in core.
7.1 - 8.6 cm. - Brown sand interbedded with gray silt.
8.6 - 12.5 cm. - Dark gray silt with vertical pods of
black silt, the latter associated with
wood-like material and about 0.8 cm. in
circumference with undetermined length..
12.5 - 17.3 cm. - Grades to brown-reddish sand through thin
interbeds of gray silt and sand; numerous
roots.
17.3 - 19.1 cm. - Sand and gravel layer, semi-angular to
rounded pebbles, large pebble with con-
centric rings of iron staining over fine-
grained matrix.
19.1 - 30.5 cm. - Dark gray silt, somewhat plastic near top,
becomes silty and even sandy at base, with
exception of.5 cm.-thick layer of clayey
silt between 26.7 and 27.2; numerous roots.
SD-SED-13D
30.5 - 43.4 cm. - Dark gray silt, irregularly interbedded
with brownish silt and a few lenses of
reddish-brown sand. Roots present and
one wood twig found at 40.6 (about .5 cm.
diameter X 4.6 cm. long).
43.4 - 46.7 cm. - Sandy gravel, red and brown in color;
largest pebble wel1-weathered to red-brown-
purple colors in "fresh" exposure; pebbles
rounded to sub-angular.
46.7 - 63.5 cm. - Silt, grading from gray and brown in upper
8 cm. to gray in lower portion. Some sug-
gestion of black silt and organic matter at
ca. 53 cm; roots above 53 cm.
SD-SED-13E (last of hole in pint jar 13F
63.5 - 83.8 cm. - Sub-angular to rounded pebbles, quartz sand,
gray silt, and black silt (organic?). Large
pebble is fine-grained dolomitic limestone;
other, smaller ones, are quartzitic.
83.8 - 91.5 cm. - In pint jar sample #SD-SED-13F - dark gray
slimes, clayey silt, rounded pebbles, 0.6
to 1.2 cm. in diameter.
11-5
-------
APPENDIX II
CORE LOG
(CONTINUED)
SITE BF-8
SD-SED-12G (First 12")
Collected: 19 Jul 72, 1400 hrs., Mooney Ranch, north bank.
Total Depth: 61 cm.
DESCRIPTION
0 - 1.3 cm. - Dark gray silt with ill-defined and
minor lens of brownish sand.
1.3 - 4.0 cm. - Dark gray silt with stringers of brownish-
red, fine sand and small pods (ca. 0.2 cm.
thick X 1.8 cm. long) of black fine silt,
possibly with some organic content.
4.0 - 9.4 cm. - Dark gray silt, grading from red-brown sand
at top and some iron-stained streaks.
9.4 - 10.2 cm. - Major pod of black silt, fine, but possibly
organic in nature, extends across 70% of
5 cm.-thick core; pod terminates in all
directions within core.
10.2 - 15.7 cm. - Dark gray silt; some hint of red-brown
staining.
15.7 - 19.1 cm. - Dark gray silt Interbedded with brownish
sard and minor black silt. Also isolated
pieces of fibrous material which 1s dis-
cernible since the exterior of this material
is coated with an iron oxide (?) film, red
and granular in nature.
19.1 - 25.4 cm. - Alternating dark gray silt, brown sand, and
black silt 1n irregular stringers and lenses,
grading downward to clayey silt.
25.4 - 33.0 cm. - Dark gray clayey silt with isolated pieces
of fibrous material coated with red oxidized
material, grading at base to gray to brown
silt.
SD-SED-12H (Second 12")
33.0 - 53.3 cm. - Gray clayey (in portions) silt, generally
massive, with infrequent reddish-brown pods
containing red-brown silt; also, minor swirls
of black silt toward bottom, grades to gravel
at base.
53.3 - 58.4 cm. - Gravel comprised of flat, rounded-to-sub-
angular pebbles, primarily of light-colored
quartz and a fine-grained, slightly cal-
careous, brown to purplish sand (dolomitic?),
one large pebble stained in circular fashion
from outside inward by iron compounds.
58.4 - 61.0 cm. - Remainder of core "lost" 1n compression of
samples during extraction.
11-6
-------
APPENDIX II
CORE LOG
(CONTINUED)
SITE BF-9
SD-SED-11C - Core generally dry
Collected:
Total Depth:
19 Jul 72, 1130 hrs.
Belle Fourche River.
140.0 cm.
35 m. downstream of bridge across
SD-SED-1ID
SD-SED-11E
SD-SED-1IF
DESCRIPTION
2.8 cm.
2.8 -
3.6 -
7.1 -
7.6 -
3.6
7.1
7.6
20.3
- Gray-brown silt in thin layers (varves) of
about 0.13 cm.
- Dark gray silt, also in thin varves.
- Gray-brown sandy silt with reddish-brown
silty sand in lens at bottom - massive.
- Dark gray sandy silt.
- Brown to brown-red sandy silt becoming coarser
and slightly redder at base; massive.
20.3 - 24.1 cm. - Reddish-brown silt with minor lenses of dark
gray silt and reddish pods of iron oxide at
about 22.9 - 23.9 cm.
Light brown sandy silt in fine layers (varves)
grading Into dark brown sandy silt at base.
8 cm. - Dark brown sandy silt, grades to grayish-
brown sandy silt,at base.
- Gray to brown sandy silt in thin layers (varves)
alternating light brown and dark gray.
24.1 - 28.7
28.7 - 32.
32.8 - 33.8
cm.
cm.
cm.
cm.
cm. -
cm.
33.8 - 35.0
35.0 - 35.8
35.8 - 38.8
38.8 - 48.8
48.8 - 51 .6
51 .6 - 54.6
54.6 - 56.1
56.1 - 58.2
cm.
cm.
cm.
cm.
cm.
cm.
cm.
- Brown sandy silt.
- Dark gray silt in thin layers.
- Brown silty sand (quartzitic sand).
- Grades downward to dark gray silt with 3 cm.
diameter twig near base.
- Brown silty sand with fine roots (?) with
gray silt interbeds.
- Dark gray silt with reddish-brown lenses
grading downward to thin (0.02 cm.) layers
of s11t alternating with reddish-brown silt.
- Light brown sandy silt.
- Dark brown silt with irregularly-spaced layers
of reddish-brown silt, minor gray silt, fine
roots (?), thin varves (layers).
58.2 - 61.2 cm. - Brown sandy silt with minor layers of gray
s11t and small lens of gray silt at base.
61.2 - 75.7 cm. - Interbedded brown silt, brown sandy silt,
gray silt (66.8 - 68.8 cm.) massive but
comprised of thin varves (layers), pieces
of wood Interspersed in minor quantity.
Grades to wetter brown silt at base.
75.7 - 85.3 cm. - Dark gray s11t grading into some reddish-
brown silt at base. Wood twigs (roots?) at
three locations.
85.3 - 90.7 cm. - Dark gray clayey silt with almost bluish
tint, grading downward at 88.6 cm. to silt.
90.7 - 94.2 cm. - Brownish silty sand with minor gray silt,
roots near top, grades at bottom to gray silt.
94.2 - 100.3 cm. - Gray silt, minor brown sand and very minor
red-brown layers or lenses. Appears to be in
thin layers (varves).
100.3 - 106.9 cm. - Gray sandy silt with some red brown silt
layers, grades to gray silt at base, with roots;
?(portion of core lost at top and bottom)?
SD-SED-11G (Wet portion of otherwise dry core)
106.9 - 125.2 cm. - Gray and brown silt, minor clay possibly,
generally massive but tends to be comprised
of globs of material and, therefore, crumbles;
discontinuous red-brown sandy lens and reddish
staining at 124.5 - 125.2 cm.
125.2 - 140.2 cm. - Brown and gray silt sand, massive.
11-7
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APPENDIX III
PHOTOGRAPHS
-------
APPENDIX III
PHOTOGRAPHS
III-O
-------
SITE WC-1
Whitewood Creek, about 2.1 km. SSE of Town of Whitewood, S.
and about 14.5 km. NE of Lead, S. D., at small road bridge
"Crook City." Photography in July 1972.
-------
Photograph WC-1-1
Whitewood Creek, looking upstream from road bridge at
Site WC-1. Sample SD-SED-4 collected from dark gray
silt located as a surface covering over the poorly-
sorted gravels. Note color of stream.
Photograph WC-1-2
Whitewood Creek--close-up of upstream
view showing two levels of dark gray
silt (lighter gray where higher and
dryer). Area not identified as one
containing "tailings" in November '71.
111-1-A
-------
Photograph WC-1-3
Whitewood Creek, looking downstream from road bridge at
Site WC-1, showing thin and recent (?) deposits of dark
gray silt near channel.
111-1-B
-------
SITE WC-2
Whitewood Creek, about 1.6 km. NE of Whitewood, S. D., and
about 18 km. NE of Lead, S. D., at bridge carrying Whitewood
Valley Road.
-------
Photograph WC-2-1
Whitewood Creek looking upstream (SE) from road bridge
showing widespread dark gray silt covering immediate
flood plain and younger channel deposits. Sediment
samples SD-SED-5A through C collected from left bank
near edge of upper deposit.
Photograph WC-2-2
Gray silt and reddish brown sand as sampled by sediment
samples SD-SED-5A through C. Collected near stream edge
of upper deposit to depth of about 30 cm. Note core hole
to right of pint sample. Note also gray silt layer near
bottom of pit and that silt from upper layers has been
smeared over the lower brown sands by shovel.
III-2-A
-------
Photograph WC-2-3
Gray silt and brown sand from pit
dug about 10m. farther away from
the shore (east of) sampling site
showing surface layer of gray silt,
sands beneath, and no^ silt found
beneath sands.
Photograph kC-2-4
Isolated deposit of dark gray silt beyond west bank of
Whitewood Creek at Site WC-2. Note that silt was deposited
well away from the Creek (west bridge abutment visible in
lower right).
III-2-B
-------
Photograph WC-2-5
Whitewood Creek looking downstream from Whitewood Valley
Road bridge near sediment sampling Site WC-2 and at Water
Sampling Site 19.
III-2-C
-------
SITE WC-3
Whitewood Creek, about 3.7 km. downstream NNE of Whitewood,
S. D., and 19.5 km. NE of Lead, S. D., below and to west of
Whitewood Valley Road.
111-3
-------
Photograph WC-3-1
Whitewood Creek at sediment site WC-3 looking upstream
from Whitewood Valley Road. Samples SD-SED-14A through
F collected along near (east) bank, primarily to left
side of photo.
Photograph WC-3-2
Whitewood Creek near sediment site WC-3 looking downstream.
Note apparent absence of gray silt over (and in) far (west)
bank. Sample of organic material (SD-SED-14A) collected
from bank below trees on right.
III-3-A
-------
Photograph .WC-.3-3
Far (west) bank of Whitewood Creek across from sediment site
WC-3. Notegray silt and staining on gravels but absence of
silty beds in or on the poorly sorted gravels.
Photograph WC-3-4
East bank of Whitewood Creek showing dark layers of organic-
like material buried well beneath the present surface. Sample
SD-SED-14A collected from dark layers at left-center of photo.
III-3-B
-------
Photograph WC-3-5
Whitewood Creek at Site WC-3 showing
thin layer of dark gray silt in minor
channel of Creek. Sediment sample
SD-SED-14B collected from this type
of deposit.
Photograph WC-3-6
Dark gray silt as thin layer over gravelly sand located on
terrace/bar about 0.7 m. above stream. No silt found below
gravelly sand. Sediment sample SD-SED-14C collected here.
III-3-C
-------
Photograph WC-3-7
East bank of Whitewood Creek at Site WC-3 showing gray silt
overlying reddish-brown sands with minor gravel found sporadi-
cally over terrace about 0.6 m. above the Creek.
Photograph WC-3-8
Gravel-strewn terrace above Whitewood Creek at sediment
sampling site WC-3 showing sampling locations for samples
SD-SED-14D through F. Note somewhat varicolored sandy silts.
Ill-3-D
-------
Photograph WC-3-9
Closeup of pit in foreground of
Photograph WC-3-8, showing gray
silt layer beneath reddish-
brown sands. Silt layer sampled
in SD-SED-14E as shown. Sample
SD-SED-14F collected from beneath
silt layer.
Photograph WC-3-10
Closeup of distant pit shown also in Photograph WC-3-8, show-
ing some of light b~own (to yellow in select strata) sand
silt. Location sampled by sediment sample SD-SED-14D.
III-3-E
-------
SITE WC-5
Whitewood Creek, about 10.5 km. NE of Whitewood, S. D., and
15.5 km. NE of Lead, S. D., along south bank, upstream and
west of Whitewood Valley Road bridge.
-------
Photograph WC-5-1
South side of Whitewood Creek channel showing thin, dark
gray silts (note gravels showing through gray silts in left
foreground) found representative of deposits in area. Sample
SD-SED-6B collected here.
Photograph WC-5-2
Whitewood Creek upstream about 100 m, from Site WC-5,
showing silt deposits in minor meander channel which
cuts sandy gravel on far side of Creek.
III-4-A
-------
Photograph WC-5-3
Freshly-eroded bank in abandoned channel of Whitewood Creek
at Site WC-5, -where a dark-gray silt layer was found at a
depth about equal to the top of the shovel blade.
Photograph WC-5-4
Closeup of dark-gray silt layer sampled by sediment sample
SD-SED-6A. Silt surrounded by brown sands. Roots were
well-established.
III-4-B
-------
Whitewood Creek looking downstream
at thin layer of gray silt over-
lying gravel. Note smaller channel
filled with silt at upper left of
photo.
Photograph WC-6-1
Photograph WC-6-2
View of west bank of Whitewood Creek near sediment sampling
site WC-6, showing cut and slumped bank which showed no
layers of gray silt.
III-5-A
-------
Photograph WC-6-3
Channel of Whitewood Creek at sediment sampling site WC-6,
showing thin covering of dark gray silt covering saturated
gravels. Note that gravels are better sorted than was the
case at locations upstream on Whitewood Creek.
111-5 - B
-------
SITE WC-7
Whitewood Creek, about 22 km. NE of Deadwood, S. D., 38.5 km.
NE of Lead, S. D., and 2.6 km. SSW of the confluence of
Whitewood Creek with the Belle Fourche River. Immediately
west of bridge carrying local road.
111-6
-------
Photograph WC-7-1
Whitewood Creek looking upstream from road bridge, showing
deposit of dark gray silt on right (north) bank, behind
bushes and in front of cluster of trees; about 0.3 m. above
active channel. Note also the water drain from the bank at
the site of the silt deposit (see Photograph WC-7-3).
Photograph WC-7-2
Terrace/bank deposit of gray tailings at Site WC-7. Sedi-
ment samples SD-SED-8A through D, a 1.1 m.-long core, col-
lected from foreground area. Silt alternates with brown
sand toward base of core.
III-6-A
-------
Photograph WC-7-3
Seep of iron-rich (?) water issuing from bank into Whitewood
Creek at sediment site WC-7.
III-6-B
-------
SITE BF-3
Belle Fourche River, about 2.6 km. downstream of confluence
with Whitewood Creek, 24 km. NE of Whitewood, S. D.s and
2.7 km. NW of Vale, S. D., on north bank of river, east of
State Highway 79 bridge.
111-7
-------
Photograph BF-3-1
North bank of Belle Fourche River looking downstream
from State Highway 79 bridge and gray silt along present
channel; gray silt in abandoned channel on left of photo.
Samples SD-SED-9A and B collected near center of photo.
Photograph BF-3-2
Closeup of gray silt covering brownish sands at Site BF-3.
No silt found beneath sand. Sample SD-SED-9C collected
here.
III-7-A
-------
SITE BF-4
Belle Fourche River, about 1.7 km. NE of Vale, S. D., 27 km.
NE of Whitewood, S. D., and 5.8 km. downstream (east) of
confluence with Whitewood Creek on north bank west of road
bridge.
111-8
-------
Photograph BF-4-1
North bank of Belle Fourche River at Site BF-4. Sediment
sample SD-SED-10 (core) collected in foreground from 46 cm -
thick deposit which appeared to thin to the right (north).
Photograph BF-4-2
Windblown gray silts along river bank.
III-8-A
-------
SITE BF-5
Belle Fourche River, about 11.5 km. east of Vale, S. D.,
and 29 km. NE of Sturgis, S. D., off bridge carrying local
road.
-------
Photograph BF-5-1
Belle Fourche River, looking downstream from bridge toward
sampling site for samples SD-SED-18A through F and ground
water sample 20. Dark gray silt covers near bank to depth
of about 1.7 m. (from core data) in series of layers.
Photograph BF-5-2
Belle Fourche River viewed upstream from Site BF-5, showing
gray silt on left bank and steep, eroding bank on right.
III-9-A
-------
Photograph BF-5-3
Moderately exposed photo of pit dug
to water at Site BF-5, showing
alternating red-brown silty sand
and gray silt.
Photograph BF-5-4
Over-exposed photo of pit shown in
previous photo to give clarity to water
level and alternating gray silts and
brownish silts at depth M m.). Note
that shovel blade has smeared gray silt
over portions of the sands.
III-9-B
-------
SITE WC-6
Whitewood Creek, about 16.8 km. NE of Whitewood, S. D., and
32.3 km. NE of Lead, S. D., along east bank, in Creek channel,
north of bridge carrying Whitewood Valley Road.
-------
Photograph BF-6-1
Sediment core sampled as SD-SED-19A and B
at "upstream" location. Total depth 1.1 m.
Sample SD-SED-19A collected from bottom gap
in core. Sample SD-SED-19B collected from
upper gap in core. Note thick gray silt
strata in lower two-thirds of core.
Photograph BF-6-2
Sediment core from downstream site
at BF-6, from bottom to top. Seven
pint samples (SD-SED-20A through G)
shown located (lettered from top to
bottom). Note dry, crumbly, gray,
silty clay at bottom (foreground).
Total depth: about 2.2 m.
MKMT*
H
III-10-A
-------
SITE BF-8
Belle Fourche River, about 43 km. SE of Volunteer, S. E.,
57 km. NE of Rapid City, S. D., and 11 km. NW of Elm Springs,
S. D., along north bank of river on Mooney Ranch.
III-ll
-------
Photograph BF-8-1
General area of Sediment Sample Site BF-8, looking upstream
along north bank of Belle Fourche River. Samples SD-SED-12A
through C collected at far right of photo. Samples SD-SED-
12D through H collected at river bank near distant trees at
middle left of photo.
Photograph BF-8-2
General view looking upstream along Belle Fourche River at
Site BF-8. Samples SD-SED-12A through C collected to left
of vehicle in distance, along bank jutting out into river.
Note slumping shales along far (south) bank of river.
-------
SITE BF-9
Belle Fourche River, about 49 km. SE of Volunteer, S. D.,
62 km. NE of Rapid City, S. D., and 7 km. NNW of Elm Springs,
S. D. Along north bank of river, upstream of bridge carrying
local road between Elm Springs and Enning, S. D.
111-12
-------
Photograph BF-9-1
Belle Fourche River in vicinity of Site BF-9. Gray silt
found along bank at right. Looking downstream. Sediment
site for sample SD-SED-11B located on right (south) bank.
Photograph BF-9-2
Belle Fourche River in vicinity of Site BF-9. Looking
upstream with sediment sampling location for sample SD-
SED-11A on bank at right (north) bank.
III-12-A
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