USGS Hydrologic Technician Alvin Sablan prepares to check USGS streamgage 13310850 on Meadow Creek in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho. Data from the streamgage were used in a USGS water-quality study in the area.
Trace Elements in Streams Near the Stibnite Mining Area Active
By Idaho Water Science Center
August 4, 2017
Mining of stibnite (antimony sulfide), tungsten, gold, silver, and mercury near the town of Stibnite in central Idaho has left a legacy of trace element contamination in the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River (EFSFSR) and its tributaries. Concentrations of arsenic, antimony, and mercury frequently exceed human health criteria and may impact threatened or endangered salmonid species, including Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout in the EFSFSR. The purpose of this study is to quantify contributions of select trace elements and suspended sediment from different stream reaches, assess potential toxicity to human and aquatic life, and explore the use of surrogate parameters such as specific conductance to improve estimates of concentrations and loads of select constituents.
The following other science projects are associated with this project.
Trace Metal Mobility in the Yellow Pine Mining District, Idaho
The study objective is to conduct an integrated, interdisciplinary study on source areas, biogeochemical transformations, and physical and biological pathways for trace metal transport in a tributary of the Snake River watershed, focusing on the Sugar Creek watershed. The historical Cinnabar mercury mine site is at the headwaters of Cinnabar Creek, a tributary to Sugar Creek. This integrated...
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Water-Quality Study in Historical Idaho Mining District
USGS Hydrologic Technician Alvin Sablan prepares to check USGS streamgage 13310850 on Meadow Creek in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho. Data from the streamgage were used in a USGS water-quality study in the area.
Water-Quality Study in Historical Idaho Mining District
USGS Hydrologic Technician Keith Hein carries water-quality samples past USGS streamgage 13311250 on the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon River. The samples were collected as part of a USGS water-quality study conducted in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho.
USGS Hydrologic Technician Keith Hein carries water-quality samples past USGS streamgage 13311250 on the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon River. The samples were collected as part of a USGS water-quality study conducted in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho.
Water-Quality Study in Historical Idaho Mining District
The so-called Glory Hole on the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon River in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho. A USGS water-quality study found that the Glory Hole acts as a sediment trap, particularly at high streamflow.
The so-called Glory Hole on the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon River in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho. A USGS water-quality study found that the Glory Hole acts as a sediment trap, particularly at high streamflow.
- Overview
Mining of stibnite (antimony sulfide), tungsten, gold, silver, and mercury near the town of Stibnite in central Idaho has left a legacy of trace element contamination in the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River (EFSFSR) and its tributaries. Concentrations of arsenic, antimony, and mercury frequently exceed human health criteria and may impact threatened or endangered salmonid species, including Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout in the EFSFSR. The purpose of this study is to quantify contributions of select trace elements and suspended sediment from different stream reaches, assess potential toxicity to human and aquatic life, and explore the use of surrogate parameters such as specific conductance to improve estimates of concentrations and loads of select constituents.
- Science
The following other science projects are associated with this project.
Trace Metal Mobility in the Yellow Pine Mining District, Idaho
The study objective is to conduct an integrated, interdisciplinary study on source areas, biogeochemical transformations, and physical and biological pathways for trace metal transport in a tributary of the Snake River watershed, focusing on the Sugar Creek watershed. The historical Cinnabar mercury mine site is at the headwaters of Cinnabar Creek, a tributary to Sugar Creek. This integrated... - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Water-Quality Study in Historical Idaho Mining DistrictUSGS Hydrologic Technician Alvin Sablan prepares to check USGS streamgage 13310850 on Meadow Creek in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho. Data from the streamgage were used in a USGS water-quality study in the area.
USGS Hydrologic Technician Alvin Sablan prepares to check USGS streamgage 13310850 on Meadow Creek in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho. Data from the streamgage were used in a USGS water-quality study in the area.
Water-Quality Study in Historical Idaho Mining DistrictUSGS Hydrologic Technician Keith Hein carries water-quality samples past USGS streamgage 13311250 on the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon River. The samples were collected as part of a USGS water-quality study conducted in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho.
USGS Hydrologic Technician Keith Hein carries water-quality samples past USGS streamgage 13311250 on the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon River. The samples were collected as part of a USGS water-quality study conducted in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho.
Water-Quality Study in Historical Idaho Mining DistrictThe so-called Glory Hole on the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon River in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho. A USGS water-quality study found that the Glory Hole acts as a sediment trap, particularly at high streamflow.
The so-called Glory Hole on the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon River in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho. A USGS water-quality study found that the Glory Hole acts as a sediment trap, particularly at high streamflow.
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