Climax-Molybdenum Mine Pictures at CMSP

Eruption of tainted water could swamp Colorado town

Charles Bilinky, one of CMSP's contributing photographers brought this to our attention.

According to the AP news wire, more than 1 billion gallons of contaminated water -- enough to fill 1,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools -- is trapped in a tunnel in the mountains above the historic town of Leadville and threatening to blow

Lake County Commissioners have declared a local state of emergency for fear that this winter's above-average snowpack will melt and cause a catastrophic tidal wave.

The water is backed up in abandoned mine shafts and a 2.1-mile drainage tunnel that is partially collapsed, creating the pooling of water contaminated with heavy metals.

"We have an amazing collection of health and science pictures" says CMSP president Henry Schleichkorn. Having pictures of the mine effecting the area in the news is a perfect example.