The Water-Quality Effects of a Bulkhead Installed in the Dinero Mine Tunnel, near Leadville, Colorado

摘要

In 2009, a bulkhead was installed in Dinero tunnel to reduce drainage and improve water quality and aquatic habitat downstream in Lake Fork Creek. Monitoring during 2006 and 2010 to 2012 indicated water-quality improvement in Lake Fork Creek (zinc concentrations and loads decreased). However, water quality degraded in areas adjacent to Dinero tunnel (pH decreased and zinc concentrations increased) due to increased water-table elevation behind the bulkhead. Continued monitoring will help assess if water-quality degradation continues adjacent to Dinero tunnel, and if low pH, zinc-rich water breaks through the Dinero wetland area and negates water-quality improvement in Lake Fork Creek.