Brian Barton
Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho has been subjected to decades of mining and other anthropogenic inputs, resulting in widespread contamination of its soil, sediment, water, and biota. The lake is part of the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site, and efforts to protect and improve its water quality have been ongoing since the finalization of the Lake Management Plan (LMP) in 2009. While the lake's water quality has improved over the last several decades, recent concerns have been raised about increasing phosphorus levels, which could have serious consequences for the metals-contaminated lakebed sediments. Various projects and initiatives are currently underway to address these issues and preserve the lake's health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Phosphorus levels | Rising |
| Lead levels | Rising |
| Nutrient levels | Increasing since 2015 |
| Metals | Antimony, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, zinc |
| Cleanup projects | 19 |
| Funding | $22 million |
| Status | Part of the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site |
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What You'll Learn
Heavy metals contamination
Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho is fed by two major rivers: the Coeur d'Alene River from the east and the St. Joe River from the south, with the Spokane River as its outlet to the north. The lake is part of the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site, which was listed as a priority Superfund Site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1983. This listing was due to the widespread metal contamination of the basin's soil, sediment, water, and biota, resulting from over a century of mining and processing of metal-rich ores in the Coeur d'Alene River basin.
Mining activities, particularly in the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River valley, have produced large quantities of waste material containing environmentally hazardous contaminants such as cadmium, lead, and zinc. These contaminants have been discharged directly into or washed into the river and its tributaries, eventually making their way into Lake Coeur d'Alene. The lake itself is estimated to contain 75-83 million metric tons of heavy-metal-rich sediments from mining activities, posing a significant risk to the quality of drinking water sources.
While advancements in mining practices have helped limit or eliminate additional discharge of toxic heavy metals, the persistence of metal contamination in the lakebed sediments remains a critical issue. The primary challenge is preventing the release of these contaminants into the water column, which can be achieved by limiting basin-wide nutrient inputs to the lake. Human activities such as wastewater discharge, agricultural runoff, and shoreline development can accelerate the eutrophication process, increasing the risk of metal contamination in the lake's water.
Efforts to remediate and monitor metal contamination in Lake Coeur d'Alene are ongoing. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) have been actively engaged in addressing the pollution and improving water quality through initiatives like the Lake Management Plan (LMP). The EPA has also made progress in cleaning up residential properties with elevated lead levels in the soil and continues to work towards addressing the impacts of mining on the basin. However, the heavy metal contamination in Lake Coeur d'Alene remains a complex and long-term issue that requires sustained attention and action from various stakeholders.
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Increasing phosphorus levels
Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho has been facing increasing phosphorus levels, threatening the health of the lake and the community that depends on it. The lake is fed by two major rivers, the Coeur d'Alene and the St. Joe rivers, and has been subjected to decades of mining and other human activities that contribute to nutrient loading.
Phosphorus levels in the lake are rising due to several factors. One of the main sources is logging operations along the rivers that feed the lake. As forests are cleared to make way for development, the way water interacts with the land changes. Snow melts faster and flows into the streams instead of seeping into the groundwater, picking up contaminants along the way. This runoff water carries phosphorus and other pollutants into the lake.
Additionally, mining activities in the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River valley have left a legacy of contamination. The area was once a major producer of silver, lead, zinc, and other metals, and the waste material generated during mining contains hazardous substances such as cadmium, lead, and zinc. These contaminants have been discharged directly into the river and its tributaries, eventually making their way into Lake Coeur d'Alene.
The increasing phosphorus levels in the lake have significant implications. Firstly, elevated phosphorus levels can affect the deep-water chemistry near the lakebed, where heavy metals are contained. A change in chemistry could result in low oxygen levels, which could unlock these metals and release them into the environment. This would have a detrimental effect on the plants and animals in the watershed, as well as the lake's ecosystem as a whole.
Furthermore, the rise in phosphorus levels can also impact the lake's ability to trap toxic metals. According to a 2020 report, as phosphorus levels increase, they can prevent some toxic metals like lead, zinc, and cadmium from being trapped in the sediments at the bottom of the lake. Without the technology to safely remove these metals, keeping them contained is crucial to maintaining water quality.
In response to the growing concerns about Lake Coeur d'Alene's health, efforts are being made to address the pollution issues. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, through the "Leading Idaho" plan, is directing $20 million over four years toward researching and addressing phosphorus and lead contaminants in the lake. This funding adds to the $2 million already dedicated to water improvement projects, with the first $2 million allocated to phosphorus reduction initiatives. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe has also been actively involved in collecting data and raising concerns about the lake's health.
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Mining waste
Lake Coeur d'Alene is located in Idaho and is a popular recreational destination. The lake is part of the aboriginal homeland of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, and their Reservation is located around its southern half. Mining waste and pollution have been a significant issue for the lake.
The lake is part of the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site, which was designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1983 to address the legacy impacts of mining, primarily heavy metal contamination. The EPA has been attempting to clean up the site for almost 40 years, with no end in sight. The Coeur d'Alene Basin contains more than 100 million tons of mine waste, including 2.4 billion pounds of lead, which has contaminated thousands of acres.
The lake has historically been known for its cold, clear, and nutrient-poor waters. However, water quality monitoring has shown an increase in nutrient levels, particularly phosphorus, since 2015. This has led to increased productivity and rapid reproduction of aquatic plants and algae, which could have serious consequences for the metals-contaminated lakebed sediments.
Efforts to protect and improve the water quality of Lake Coeur d'Alene have been ongoing. In 2009, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) finalized a Lake Management Plan (LMP) to address pollutant loading on a watershed scale. However, in 2018, the Tribe determined the LMP inadequate and withdrew their support, requesting that the EPA share its funding and resources for a permanent cleanup. In 2021, Governor Little established the Coeur d'Alene Lake Advisory Committee and directed $2 million in funds for projects to reduce phosphorus and improve water quality. The Committee recommended funding for 19 cleanup projects.
Despite these efforts, pollution into Lake Coeur d'Alene is still a concern, and evidence shows that it may be worsening. If upstream contaminants were to interact with the millions of tons of toxic mine waste already on the lake bottom, it could potentially threaten the lake's ecosystem and the health of local communities, fish, and wildlife.
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Lake Management Plan (LMP)
Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho has been subjected to decades of mining activities, which have resulted in widespread metal contamination of the lake's soil, sediment, water, and biota. The lake is part of the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site, which was listed on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Priorities List in 1983 due to the presence of heavy metals contamination.
In 2009, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ), along with other local, state, and federal agencies, finalized a Lake Management Plan (LMP) to address the issue of pollutant loading on a watershed scale. The LMP includes water quality thresholds that trigger a comprehensive review and identification of pollution sources and appropriate management actions if certain levels are approached or exceeded.
The LMP partnership between the Tribe and IDEQ has generated a wealth of encouraging data on the lake's water quality. However, it has also revealed that some measures, such as nutrient loading, are deteriorating. As a result, the Coeur d'Alene Tribal leaders withdrew their support for the LMP in September, requesting that the EPA share its funding and resources to better address the lake's issues.
The EPA is currently reviewing the cleanup progress made over the past five years and evaluating the effectiveness of the LMP to determine if additional funding and support are required. Meanwhile, Idaho Governor Brad Little has directed the IDEQ to secure a third-party review of the lake's health and recommend actions to address any identified concerns.
The Lake Management Department is dedicated to protecting and preserving the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation's aquatic and cultural resources, as well as promoting the health, safety, and welfare of present and future generations of Tribal members and the public. This includes managing the beds and banks of navigable waters belonging to the Tribe and protecting their exclusive use rights.
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Cleanup efforts
Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho has been subjected to decades of mining, which has resulted in widespread metal contamination of the basin's soil, sediment, water, and biota. The lake is part of the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site, which was listed on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Priorities List in 1983. The site seeks to address the legacy impacts of mining, primarily heavy metal contamination. Lake Coeur d'Alene is contaminated with metals such as lead, cadmium, zinc, and antimony. These metals can bioaccumulate in the plants and animals that live in the lake.
In recognition of the environmental damage caused by mining, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe has been actively involved in cleanup and restoration efforts. The tribe has worked to resolve ownership of the lake and has filed lawsuits to force restoration of the watershed. The U.S. Supreme Court recognized that the tribe has always owned the lower one-third of the lake and other related waters. The tribe has also developed and implemented management and restoration plans for the lake and the surrounding basin.
In 2009, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ), along with other local, state, and federal agencies, finalized a Lake Management Plan (LMP) to protect and improve lake water quality by addressing pollutant loading. The LMP includes water quality thresholds that trigger a comprehensive review of the data to identify pollution sources and appropriate management actions. However, after a decade of implementing the LMP, water quality has continued to decline, and further action is necessary. In 2019, the tribe retracted its support for the LMP and formally asked the EPA to address the legacy of mining pollution in the lake.
The tribe's Hazardous Waste Management Program (HWMP) aims to protect natural resources throughout the tribe's territory that have been impacted by historic releases of mine waste contamination and other industrial activities. The HWMP staff participate in the Coeur d'Alene Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission (BEIPC), which oversees the cleanup of the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site. The tribe is also involved in the Restoration Partnership with federal and state co-trustees, developing and implementing a restoration plan for the Coeur d'Alene Basin.
Local community members, including scientists, business owners, tribal leaders, elected officials, and volunteers, have also come together to address the pollution in Lake Coeur d'Alene. Underwater cleanups have been organized, with divers and volunteers removing trash, tires, sheet metal, signs, and alcohol containers from the lake. Despite these efforts, it has been noted that these cleanups have not made a significant dent in the amount of garbage present in the lake.
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Frequently asked questions
Lake Coeur d'Alene has been facing pollution issues due to heavy metals contamination, including lead, cadmium, zinc, antimony, and arsenic. Mining activities have been a significant contributor to this pollution. While the lake's water quality has improved over the last few decades, there are still concerns about increasing phosphorus levels and nutrient loading, which can have serious consequences for the metals-contaminated lakebed sediments.
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) developed the 2009 Lake Management Plan (LMP) to protect and improve the lake's water quality. However, the Tribe withdrew their support for the LMP in 2020, requesting the EPA to take further action. In response, the state has allocated funds for nutrient reduction projects and research on the lake's health.
The primary sources of pollution in Lake Coeur d'Alene are historical mining activities and recent land uses that contribute to excess nutrient loading, especially phosphorus. Logging operations, construction site runoff, and industrial discharges are also identified as sources of pollutants.
The pollution in Lake Coeur d'Alene has led to concerns about the lake reaching an official Superfund status, which could have negative economic and real estate implications for the region. Additionally, the increase in phosphorus levels can affect the chemistry of deep water near the lakebed, leading to low oxygen levels that release the heavy metals into the environment and the food web.
