Silver Bow Creek/Warm Springs Ponds One-Page Summary

Until recently, fly-fisherman had little reason to stop at the Warm Springs Ponds of the Silver Bow Creek Superfund site in Butte, Montana. Years of copper mining had choked the life from this 2,500-acre area, and to many, it was a desolate wasteland. However, thanks to EPA's Superfund program, in partnership with the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), Warm Springs Ponds has undergone a dramatic transformation. What was once a barren wasteland is now extensive wetlands that harbors more than 230 types of resident or migratory wildlife. The area also attracts trout fishermen from miles around, eager to test their luck among the pools and eddies of the nearly restored Warm Springs Ponds area.

The site became contaminated when, from 1915 to 1980, miners in Butte dumped wastes into four nearby streams. These waterways carried an astounding 19 million tons of tailings and other mining wastes into the headwaters of the Clark Fork River. Over time, these tailings began to take a heavy toll on the environment. In 1956, in an attempt to slow the harmful effect of the tailings on the Clark Forks River and its headwaters, the Anaconda Copper Company dug three collection ponds on what is now called Warm Springs Ponds. These ponds eventually became severely polluted.

In 1983, the site was placed on EPA's list of priority hazardous waste sites needing cleanup. In 1990, after several removal actions, EPA teamed with ARCO (which had recently bought the Anaconda Mining Company) to further clean up the area. Working together, they removed more than 450,000 cubic yards of sediments from the ponds and installed a comprehensive water treatment system. ARCO also agreed to pay $1.7 million to create 400 acres of new wetlands in the area.

Today, the wetlands at Warm Springs Ponds is an important habitat for migrating Canadian geese and breeding areas for dozens of songbird and osprey. To improve existing habitat, ARCO built nesting platforms to protect waterfowl from predators. But Warm Springs Ponds isn't just wetlands. Today, as a result of additional work by ARCO, the area boasts bike paths, a self-guided walking tour, numerous fishing sites, and even an area for dog training. Further improvements, such as a footbridge and additional fishing areas, are expected in the years to come.

To learn more about the redevelopment or reuse of Superfund sites, write to reuse.info@epa.gov, or call the Superfund Hotline at 800-424-9346 or (703) 412-9810 (Washington, DC area), or Melissa Friedland at (703) 603-8864.