Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area
Name	Silver Bow Creek
Subdivision type1	Country
Subdivision name1	United States
Subdivision type2	State
Subdivision name2	Montana
Subdivision type3	County
Subdivision name3	Silver Bow County
Length	~26 miles (42 km)
Source1 location	Continental Divide near Butte, Montana
Mouth location	Confluence with the Clark Fork River near Warm Springs, Montana
Progression	Clark Fork River → Lake Pend Oreille → Pend Oreille River → Columbia River → Pacific Ocean

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area. The Silver Bow Creek watershed and the adjacent city of Butte, Montana form a historically pivotal region in the American West, renowned as one of the world's richest mineral districts. This area, centered on the Butte mining district, was the epicenter of copper extraction that fueled the Industrial Revolution and shaped global markets. Its legacy is a complex tapestry of immense industrial wealth and profound environmental degradation, leading to its designation as part of the nation's largest Superfund site and ongoing multi-decade restoration efforts.

Geography and Hydrology

Silver Bow Creek originates near the Continental Divide in the highlands southwest of Butte, Montana, flowing approximately 26 miles before joining the Clark Fork River near Warm Springs, Montana. The creek's course traverses the heart of the Butte mining district, an area profoundly altered by over a century of intensive industrial activity. Key hydrological features include the Berkeley Pit, a massive former open-pit copper mine now filled with acidic, metal-laden water, and a network of historic underground mines like the Anaconda Copper Mine. The watershed's geology, part of the Rocky Mountains, is rich in sulfide mineral deposits, which when exposed to air and water, generate acid mine drainage.

History and Mining Legacy

The history of the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area is synonymous with the rise of industrial hard-rock mining. Following the discovery of significant placer gold deposits in the 1860s, the focus shifted to underground silver veins and, by the 1880s, to immense bodies of copper ore. This transformation was driven by industrialists like Marcus Daly, whose Anaconda Copper Mining Company dominated the region's economy and politics for nearly a century. The district became known as "The Richest Hill on Earth," supplying copper essential for the electrification of cities like New York City and for the Allied war effort during World War II. Landmarks such as the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railway and the Washoe Smelter in nearby Anaconda, Montana were critical components of this industrial empire.

Environmental Impact and Restoration

The environmental impact of mining on Silver Bow Creek was catastrophic, rendering it virtually lifeless for decades. The creek and its floodplain became a conduit for heavy metal contamination, including arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc, from mine tailings, smelter emissions, and acid drainage. Initial restoration work, mandated by legal settlements like the 1983 Consent Decree between the state of Montana and the Atlantic Richfield Company, focused on containing waste. Major projects have included the removal of millions of cubic yards of contaminated soil and the reconstruction of the creek channel, efforts led by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Superfund Designation and Cleanup

In 1983, the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area was listed on the National Priorities List as part of the larger Clark Fork River Superfund Complex. The Superfund program, administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, designated the Atlantic Richfield Company as the primary responsible party for cleanup. The monumental remediation effort encompasses the Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit, the Streamside Tailings Operable Unit, and the ongoing water management challenges of the Berkeley Pit. Cleanup strategies involve extensive capping, water treatment facilities like the Berkeley Pit Water Treatment Plant, and perpetual water monitoring to protect the downstream Clark Fork River.

Ecology and Wildlife

Following decades of remediation, ecological recovery in the Silver Bow Creek corridor is a primary goal. Revegetation projects using native species aim to stabilize soils and rebuild riparian habitats. The return of aquatic macroinvertebrates and the reintroduction of trout species like the westslope cutthroat trout are key indicators of improving water quality. The area provides habitat for wildlife including mule deer, moose, and various raptors, though contamination in some zones continues to pose risks. The restored wetlands near Warm Springs, Montana serve as an important stopover for migratory birds within the Pacific Flyway.

Cultural and Economic Significance

Culturally, Butte is famed for its rich ethnic heritage, shaped by waves of immigrants from Cornwall, Ireland, Finland, and Serbia who worked in the mines. This history is preserved in sites like the Butte-Anaconda National Historic Landmark District and the World Museum of Mining. The city's economic identity has transitioned from extractive dominance to a mix of heritage tourism, education centered on Montana Technological University, and healthcare. Annual events like Butte's Evel Knievel Days and Anaconda's Smelterman's Day celebrate this unique industrial and cultural legacy.

Recreation and Public Access

Extensive cleanup has opened new opportunities for public access and recreation along Silver Bow Creek. The Silver Bow Creek Greenway trail system provides pathways for hiking, cycling, and wildlife viewing, connecting Butte to surrounding natural areas. The Butte Hill itself offers panoramic views and historical interpretation. Nearby, the Deer Lodge National Forest and the Big Hole River provide world-class fishing and outdoor pursuits, signaling a regional shift toward leveraging Montana's natural amenities while stewarding its remediated landscapes.

Category:Rivers of Montana Category:Superfund sites in Montana Category:Butte, Montana Category:Clark Fork River