Activities in 'California'

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
description: A study is underway to determine potential contamination by metals in this historically mined area of upper Clear Creek. Water, sediments, and biota have been collected for analysis to determine contaminant loads. Results of the study will enable the Park to better manage its resources and prioritize areas that may need cleanup.
more information: (Roger Hothem, BRD,USGS, Dixon, CA; Jason May, WRD, USGS, Sacramento, CA
Project URL:

Lower Clear Creek Watershed
description: The BLM is restoring the lower Clear Creek for anadromous fishes. Water, sediment, and biota are being sampled and analyzed for mercury to determine the possible effects of using dredge tailings for the restoration.
more information: (Roger Hothem, BRD,USGS, Dixon, CA; Jason May, WRD, USGS, Sacramento, CA; Roger Ashley, GD, USGS and James Rytuba, GD, USGS, Menlo Park, CA)
Project URL:

Trinity River Watershed
description: Mercury form mercury mines and gold mines have contaminated downstream reaches in the Trinity River Watershed. Restoration efforts are underway by the Bureau of Reclamation to improve habitat for anadromous fish. Water, sediment, and biota are being sampled for mercury and methylmercury to assist managers in selecting appropriate restoration techniques.
more information: (Roger Hothem, BRD,USGS, Dixon, CA; Jason May, WRD, USGS, Sacramento, CA; and James Rytuba, GD, USGS, Menlo Park, CA)
Project URL:

Sacramento River
description: Copper, zinc and cadmium concentrations are of concern in river reaches downstream from mined areas, especially in spawning habitat for treatened and endagered fish species. Ultrafiltration of water was used in 1996-97 to investigate dissolved and colloidal transport of metals in the river reach from Shasta Dam to Freeport (south of Sacramento). Ultraclean sampling and processing methods were applied to use trace elements and lead isotopes to understand transport processes and metal sources.
more information: (Charlie Alpers, WRD, CA District, Sacramento, CA)
Project URL:http://ca.water.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/influx/projectsapp.pl?preview=13

Penn Mine
description: Acid drainage from the Penn Mine in Calaveras County, CA produced a plume of contamination in ground water between Mine Run Dam and Camanche Reservoir. USGS characterized the distribution of metals, sulfate, and acidity in ground water flowing through a fractured-rock aquifer.
more information: (Charlie Alpers, WRD, CA District, Sacramento, CA)
Project URL:http://ca.water.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/influx/projectsapp.pl?preview=37

Mother Lode, Sierra Nevada Foothills
description: Arsenic and mercury contamination from historic gold mining and processing
more information: (Roger Ashley, GD, MRP, Menlo Park, CA)
Project URL:http://minerals.usgs.gov/west/projects.html

Leviathan Mine (see also NV)
description: Stream gaging work is planned in cooperation with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region
more information: (Gerald Rockwell, WRD, CA District, Carnelian Bay, CA)
Project URL:

Keswick Reservoir / Spring Creek Reservoir
description: Metals in acidic mine drainage from Iron Mountain have accumulated in contaminated sediments in Keswick and Spring Creek Reservoirs. Ongoing studies by USGS are characterizing metal concentrations in sediment and pore waters, and the orption properties and aquatic toxicity of affected sediments
more information: ( Charlie Alpers, WRD, CA District, Sacramento, CA)
Project URL:

Iron Mountain
description: Analysis of complex food chain in highly acidic underground mine drainage environment.
more information: Eleanora Robbins, GD-retired.
Project URL:

Iron Mountain
description: This massive sulfide deposit mined from the 1880's to the 1960's is a major contributor of metals to the Sacramento River and is highly ranked on USEPA's National Priority List for Superfund cleanup. USGS studies are contributing to improved understanding of geochemical, microbiological, and hydrologic processes controlling the generation, storage, and release of acid.
more information: (Charlie Alpers, WRD, CA District, Sacramento, CA)
Project URL:http://ca.water.usgs.gov/water_quality/acid/index.html/

Coast Ranges
description: Mercury contamination from historic mercury mines
more information: (Jim Rytuba, GD, MRP, Menlo Park, CA)
Project URL:http://minerals.usgs.gov/west/projectlisting.shtml

Cache Creek watershed
description: Mercury in the Cache Creek ecosystem: Bioaccumulation and effects on amphibians and birds.
more information: (Roger L. Hothem, USGS, BRD, Dixon, CA)
Project URL:

Bear River and Yuba River Watersheds
description: Uncontrolled mercury use during historic hydraulic mining of placer gold deposits, especially during 1849-1884, has resulted in extensive dispersal of mercury in these and other Sierra Nevada watersheds. Water, sediment, and biota (fish, amphibians, birds, and amphibians) are being sampled for mercury and methylmercury to assist other agencies in prioritizing abanonded mine sites for possible remediation.
more information: (Charlie Alpers and Mike Hunerlach, WRD, CA District, Sacramento, CA)
Project URL:http://ca.water.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/influx/projectsapp.pl?preview=34