Silver Creek - Division of Water Quality - Utah.gov

Silver Creek Watershed TMDL Final Report
Contaminated water within each wetland will become continuously cleaner as it is routed
through the wetland complexes prior to discharge into the creek; enhance the existing wetland
complexes by enlarging the emergent marsh areas and by planting heavy metal removing plant
species. Enhancement should also include site monitoring and maintenance. Additionally,
ensuring proper erosion control measures are employed during construction and other earth
disturbing activities.
Flood Plain Tailings (site inspection 11/8/2002)
The flood plain tailings site is located on the north side of Silver Creek, between the Rail Trail
and the access road to Richardson’s Flat. The site is characterized by “perched” wetlands and
scrub-shrub vegetation. The source of water for the wetlands appears to be surface and ground
water flowing from the west to the creek.
Recommended BMPs include: either removal of contaminated tailings and or construction of
water control structures to manage surface flows from wetland complex to wetland complex and
possibly to a constructed wetland area for treatment. Contaminated water within each wetland
will become continuously cleaner as it is routed through the wetland complexes prior to
discharge into the creek; enhance the existing wetland complexes by enlarging the emergent
marsh areas and by planting heavy metal removing plant species. Enhancement should also
include site monitoring and maintenance.
Richardson Flat (site inspection 11/8/2002)
At this time, it is believed that Richardson Flat is a potential contributor of contaminants to
Silver Creek. Groundwater data including flows, flow direction, and contaminant concentrations
is currently being collected and will be assessed by others in the future.
Above Atkinson (site inspection 11/8/2002)
The topography of the area is fairly flat for a 4-6 mile reach. The area is characterized by a
slightly meandering stream channel, fairly wide vegetated flood channel, and widespread tailing
deposits that includes some mounds of mine tailings. The stream channel runs through tailings
for a stretch of approximately 4 miles in this meadow area. Anecdotal evidence suggests that
tailings from the mines were brought to this area in an attempt to further extract valuable
materials. One of the largest recovery operations in this area was the Big Four mill, in operation
from approximately 1915 to 1918. The mill site has a large concentration of tailings depositions.
There are currently no BMPs in place.
Recommended BMPs include: removal of all contaminated materials to a secure location;
stabilizing and isolating contaminated materials onsite. This may not be practicable due to the
large geographic extent of the area covered by the tailings. Additionally, groundwater
contributes to the flows in Silver Creek through this reach. Isolating the tailings may affect
groundwater flows; “seal” the creek bed using clay, bentonite, or some other material thus
preventing flow to or from Silver Creek. Again, sealing the creek may adversely affect flows if
ground water is isolated from the creek.
Other items to take into account when considering applicable BMPs are current irrigation
practices. Numerous diversions exist along Silver Creek that allow farmers/ranchers to access
water for irrigation and livestock use. The number of diversions and amount of water drawn
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