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Wright, Winfield G

Geological, hydrological, and geochemical information synthesized in a Geographic Information System (GIS) for water and rock surrounding South and Middle Forks of Mineral Creek, northwest of Silverton, Colorado, was analyzed to distinguish between the natural and the mining-related sources of metals to surface waters in the watershed. An important natural source of metals to surface water emanates from a porphyry molybdenum deposit south and upslope from the Middle Fork of Mineral Creek. Interaction of surface and ground water with fractured, altered rocks and permeable, Quaternary-age surficial deposits produces downstream water quality that does not meet current State of Colorado water quality standards for metals...
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