Hanford Nuclear Reservation:
Black Rock groundwater could
affect movement of radioactive
contamination under Hanford
The Black Rock reservoir will leak water into the soil and geologic strata that lie beneath the reservoir site. As this leakage seeps downward, it could create pressure on natural groundwater, increasing the movement of groundwater toward the Hanford site.
Groundwater at Hanford is severely contaminated with hazardous and radioactive chemicals, such as chromium, strontium-90, and other pollutants. Polluted groundwater from Hanford seeps into the Columbia River in the Hanford Reach. Federal and state agencies are undertaking major efforts to prevent the movement of contaminated groundwater to the Columbia River.
There remains significant uncertainty about how groundwater flows beneath the Hanford site (see Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, Hanford Site Groundwater Monitoring for 2005, Section 2.1 (March 2006)).
A threat to Hanford groundwater remediation efforts would constitute unacceptable impacts of the Black Rock reservoir. The Bureau of Reclamation has contracted with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratories to study the issue.
Hanford Nuclear Reservation
Major groundwater radiological plumes on the Hanford Site and their impact on the Columbia River
“Through a network of more than 1500 wells, scientists keep track of groundwater contamination at Hanford. The Pacific Northwest National Lab prepares an annual report on Hanford Site Groundwater Monitoring. The tables [click here] show the contaminants of greatest concern.”
Source: Washington Department of Ecology
Polluted groundwater from Hanford seeps into the Columbia River in the Hanford Reach. Federal and state agencies are undertaking major efforts to prevent the movement of contaminated groundwater to the Columbia River. Black Rock reservoir will leak into the groundwater, and could create pressure on natural groundwater, increasing the movement of groundwater toward the Hanford site. (graphic source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.)
Columbia Institute for Water Policy
Black Rock Follies © 2007
Black Rock Reservoir site
