Wander the West

Berkeley Pit - Butte, Montana

	Berkeley Pit

2006

The Berkeley Pit is a massive open pit mine in Butte, Montana. The open pit mining started in 1955 and continued until the mine closed in 1982. Once the mine closed and the water pumps that kept the pit dry were shut down, the pit filled with water over the years until it reached its current depth of 800 feet. The pit water is very toxic, containing arsenic, sulfuric acid, and other hazardous materials. In a famous incident, a large flock of migrating geese landed on the pit water and were killed by the poisonous water. Over 300 dead geese were removed from the pit.

The pit is right at the edge of Uptown Butte (Butte's historic downtown), and the walls of the pit are visible from town. There is an observation deck at the pit that allows visitors to get a close-up look. The observation deck has some interpretive signs with historical photos and information. Of particular interest are the photos of the mine trucks burying town buildings that were in the way of mine expansion. Not exactly paradise, but an interesting part of the local history and a testament to the power man wields over the environment.

- Aaron Walton