Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
toxic and appears various shades of brown, blue, green, and red, depending on the concen-
tration of chemicals and subsequent chemical reactions.
In 1994, the EPA established a “critical water level” of 5,410 feet, stipulating that when
the water in the pit reaches that level, it could seep into Silver Bow Creek or the alluvial
groundwater aquifer and contaminate the region's water supply. The government requires
the parties responsible for treating the groundwater to pump and treat the water before it
reaches that level, or incur fines of $25,000 per day. The water is expected to reach the crit-
ical level sometime around the year 2022.
In November 1995, a flock of snow geese landed in the Berkeley Pit; fog and snow kept
them from flying off, and after several days 342 birds were found dead in the water. Since
then, a program has discouraged migrating birds from landing on the pit water.
