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Characterization of anthropogenic and natural sources of acid rock drainage at the Cinnamon Gulch abandoned mine land inventory site, Summit County, Colorado

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

Colorado's Cinnamon Gulch releases acid rock drainage (ARD) from anthropogenic and natural sources. In 2001, the total discharge from Cinnamon Gulch was measured at 1.02 cfs (29 L/s) at base flow and 4.3 cfs (122 L/s) at high flow (spring runoff). At base flow, natural sources account for 98% of the discharge from the watershed, and about 96% of the chemical loading. At high flow, natural sources contribute 96% of discharge and 92 to 95% of chemical loading. The pH is acidic throughout the Cinnamon Gulch watershed, ranging from 2.9 to 5.4. At baseflow, nearly all of the trace metals analyzed in the 18 samples exceeded state hardness-dependent water quality standards for aquatic life. Maximum dissolved concentrations of selected constituents included 16 mg/L aluminum, 15 mg/L manganese, 40 mg/L iron, 2 mg/L copper, 560 μg/L lead, 8.4 mg/L zinc, and 300 mg/L sulfate. Average dissolved concentrations of selected metals at baseflow were 5.5 mg/L aluminum, 5.5 mg/L manganese, 14 μg/L cadmium, 260 μg/L copper, 82 μg/L lead, and 2.8 mg/L zinc.

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Acknowledgments

The US Forest Service provided funding for the Cinnamon Gulch watershed characterization, and for the production of this paper. Thanks are due to Matt Sares and Bob Wood of CGS for critical reviews of the paper, and to Larry Scott of CGS for producing the figures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Colorado Geological Survey, 1313 Sherman Street, Room 715, Denver, CO , 80203, USA

    David A. Bird

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  1. David A. Bird
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Correspondence to David A. Bird.

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Bird, D.A. Characterization of anthropogenic and natural sources of acid rock drainage at the Cinnamon Gulch abandoned mine land inventory site, Summit County, Colorado. Env Geol 44, 919–932 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0835-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0835-9

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