Elkhorn Creek, Mine, and Mill

Project Description

Since 2020, BHWC and partners have been working together to create a restoration plan for the area around the historic Elkhorn Mine and Mill, including Elkhorn Creek. This project is off the Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway near Wise River in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Project partners are listed below.

Area History

Results

2023 Repository Investigation Report

2022 Elkhorn Mine & Mill Sampling and Analysis Plan (file too large to upload)

2022 Elkhorn Mine & Mill Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan

2021 Site Characterization Report

2020 Site Characterization Report

People & Organizations Involved

Big Hole Watershed Committee

Beaverhead Conservation District

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks

Funders

Bureau of Reclamation

United States Forest Service

Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

Flathead Lake Bio Station/Monitoring Montana Waters

Contractors

WindenWater

Montana BioAgriculture

Montana Technological University

Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology

Pioneer Technical Services

GCM Services

Project Photos

2025 Site Visit

Elkhorn Mill Circa 1919

Elkhorn Mill Circa 1935

View into the "1000 ft" adit

Highly contiminated water flowing out of the Elkhorn adit. The acid mine drainage was once confined to a lined ditch bulit in 1998. Now its not.

Elkhorn Mill 2020