Biennial Report of Activities and Programs July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018

Photo by Tom Patton, who retired as Research Chief this biennium after 39 years with the MBMG.

Butte 1300 W. Park Street Butte, MT 59701 Phone: 406-496-4180 Fax: 406-496-4451

Billings 1300 N. 27th Street Billings, MT 59101 Phone: 406-657-2938 This mosaic of the geologic map of Montana is made up of hundreds of images of MBMG staff , Fax: 406-657-2633 photos, and publications. 2019 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. This report was created and printed by Publications staff of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. A department of Montana Technological University Biennial Report 2016-2018 COMMITTEES The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology endeavors to provide sound scientifi c maps and reports for use by many segments of society. An important component of our activities is the decision process to determine topics and geographic areas of our research; advisory groups and steering committees are critical to that process. The MBMG gratefully acknowledges the many individuals and agencies who participate on these committees. Advisory Committees Ground Water Assessment Program and Ground Water State Map Advisory Committee Investigation Program Steering Committee Mr. Tim Bartos, USGS VOTING MEMBERS Dr. John Childs, Childs Geoscience Mr. Attila Folnagy , Department of Natural Resources Mr. Steven J. Czehura, Montana Resources Mr. Chris Boe, Department of Environmental Quality Mr. James W. Halvorson, MT Board of Oil and Gas Conservation Mr. Brett Heitshusen, Department of Agriculture Dr. Marc Hendrix, The University of Montana Mr. Troy Blandford, Montana State Library, Natural Resources Ms. Teresa Kinley, MT Dept. of Natural Resources & Conservation Information System Dr. David Lageson, Montana State University Mr. Seth Makepeace, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Mr. Dan Seifert, U.S. Forest Service Governor Appointees Ms. Kari Scannella, USDA MT Natural Resources Conservation Service Mr. Walt Sales, Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators, Mr. Garrett Smith, Montana Dept. of Environmental Quality Bozeman—Agricultural water users Mr. David Williams, Bureau of Land Management Mr. Mark Thompson, Montana Resources Inc., Butte—Industrial Mr. Robert Wintergerst, U.S. Forest Service water users Ms. Jane Holzer, MT Salinity Control Assn., Conrad—Conservation or ecological protection organization Yellowstone Controlled Ground Water Area Mr. Scott Cooney, Developer, Missoula—Development community Technical Oversight Committee

OTHER Dr. Steve Custer (chair), Montana State University (retired) Vacant, Montana Association of Counties Appointee Mr. John Kilpatrick, U.S. Geological Survey Dr. Payton Gardner, Montana University System, appointed by the Mr. Attila Folnagy, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Board of Regents Mr. Marvin Miller, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Dr. Madeline Gotkowitz, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Mr. David Susong, USGS for National Park Service Mr. Joe Kolman, Legislative Services Division Mr. James Halvorson, Board of Oil and Gas Conservation Data Preservation Committee Mr. Alden Shallcross, Bureau of Land Management Mr. John Kilpatrick, U.S. Geological Survey Ms. Mitzi Rossillion, Butte–Silver Bow Archives Mr. Jeff Baumberger, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Mr. Dave Frank, U.S. Geological Survey Mr. Thor Burbach, USDA Forest Service Mr. Ted Antonioli, Consultant Geologist Mr. Jason Gildea, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Vacant—There is currently no appointee from an organization of Montana cities and towns. The MBMG thrives on its interaction with citizens and agencies throughout Montana. Serving on various advisory committees and boards gives us an opportunity to learn about many issues facing the state and provide information on quite a range of topics. Committees on which MBMG members have served: Anaconda RWWS Operable Unit: Groundwater Technical Review Montana Resources - Groundwater Modeling Working Group Committee Montana Section of the American Water Resources Association Association of American State Geologists Executive Committee Montana Water Center State Water Plan Basin Advisory Committees National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Board of Environmental Review National Geologic and Geophysical Data Preservation Committee Butte Mine Flooding Public Education (Pit Watch) National Ground Water Monitoring Network Butte Silver Bow Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan Committee Science Mine Butte-Silver Bow Superfund Advisory and Redevelopment Trust Sheridan County Water Reservation Technical Advisory Committee Authority Subcommittee on Groundwater to the Advisory Committee on Water Clark Fork Watershed Education Program Information (DOI) Coalbed Methane Protection Program Technical Review Panel for Grant Programs, Western Sustainable DNRC Technical Advisory Council on Coalbed Methane Agriculture Research and Education Future Fisheries Tobacco Root Geological Society Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Advisory Committee’s Watershed Coordination Council Monitoring Sub-committee Western States Seismic Policy Council Montana Board of Water Well Contractors Williston Area Aquifer Models Consortium Montana Geologic Society Yellowstone TOC Montana Mining Association Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Seismic Monitoring Team 2 31 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 MBMG STAFF DIRECTOR’S INTRODUCTION Director’s Offi ce John J. Metesh, Professor, Director and State The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology’s biennial report is Geologist our opportunity to refl ect on the many and varied achievements of a Catherine McKillips, Administrative Associate III unique group of scientists, engineers, staff , and students. Our mission is to provide information for the sound use of Montana’s Accounting geological and water resources. Sara Lester, Budget Analyst II Our vision is to be Montana’s lead source of geologic and water information. Analytical As a non-regulatory State agency within the Montana University Jacqueline Timmer, Assistant Professor, Chief System, we serve as Montana’s geologic survey, addressing topics Chemist Ashley Huft, Chemist ranging from earthquake monitoring and geologic mapping to energy development and groundwater. We are housed on the Montana Tech campus and maintain a fully staff ed offi ce in Billings. Our geologic mapping program, supported by both State and Computer Services and Information Services competitive Federal funding, continues its work on the complex Geographic Information Systems Susan Barth, Assistant Professor, Chief Information Services geology of western Montana; we released several new maps, Jeff Johnson, Computer Support Specialist III Division, Publications Editor including collaborative maps with the Idaho Geologic Survey. New Yiwen Li, Professional Scientist, GIS Specialist Susan Smith, Geologic Cartographer detailed geologic maps of western Montana, better availability of Paul Thale, Assistant Professor, GIS Manager high-resolution topographic imaging from Lidar (lately, an acronym for light detection and ranging), and our earthquake studies program Research Staff have prompted creation of a Geologic Hazards Program. The initial Photo by Lisa Wareham goal of the program is to update our database of active faults using Madeline Gotkowitz, Chief Research Division James Madison, Associate Professor, Billings Offi ce recent geologic mapping and off er this information through the (August 2018) Hydrogeologist Bulbul Majumder, Software Engineer Simon Bierbach, Research Assistant MBMG DataCenter. Ginette Abdo, Professor, Ground Water Donald C. Mason, Research Specialist Kevin Chandler, Assistant Professor, The DataCenter continues to expand and improve public access to earthquakes, abandoned mines, and historic Investigation Program Manager Catherine McDonald, Professor, Geologist Hydrogeologist Jay Gunderson, Professor, Geologist data related to oil & gas and mining. The 2017 Legislature established our newest program, the Surface Water Matthew Berzel, Professional Scientist, Thomas Michalek, Professor, Hydrogeologist Assessment and Monitoring Program (aff ectionately known as SWAMP) “for the purpose of collecting and compil- Hydrogeologist Jesse Mosolf, Assistant Professor, Geologist Shawn Kuzara, Assistant Professor, Dan Blythe, Assistant Professor, Todd Myse, Associate Professor, Hydrogeologist ing surface water information” (MCA 85.2.1001). In addition to a irrigation control study in the Gallatin Valley, the Hydrogeologist Hydrogeologist Elizabeth Meredith, Associate Professor, program supports continued operation of our online database of real-time and historic streamfl ow data. As of the Andrew Bobst, Professor, Hydrogeologist Mike Richter, Research Specialist Hydrogeologist end of 2018, we host data for 45 “real-time” and 113 other gauge sites operated by the DNRC as well as 149 MBMG Luke J. Buckley, Associate Professor, Leonard Rinehart, Research Specialist Jon C. Reiten, Professor, Hydrogeologist John Wheaton, Professor, Hydrogeologist gauge sites. Of course, the largest contribution of surface-water and groundwater information comes from our Database Administrator James Rose, Associate Professor, groundwater programs (GWAP and GWIP) and individual investigations throughout the State. Camela A. Carstarphen, Associate Professor, Hydrogeologist Hydrogeologist Anthony Roth, Library Technician III As is our tradition, the MBMG publishes high-quality, reviewed publications for both scientists and the public. Jeremy Crowley, Assistant Professor, Kaleb Scarberry, Associate Professor, New to our lineup is the Digital Publication, often referred to as a story map; Yiwen Li, one of our GIS specialists, had Hydrogeologist Geologist the honor of publishing our fi rst in 2018: Sap- Peggy Delaney, Professional Scientist, Data Dean Snyder, Assistant Professor, Preservation Program Manager Hydrogeologist phires in Montana: Montana Bureau of Mines Terence E. Duaime, Assistant Professor, Michael C. Stickney, Professor, Director and Geology Digital Publication 1, a digital story Hydrogeologist Earthquake Studies Offi ce map of the sapphires in Montana, based on the Colleen Elliot, Associate Professor, Geologist Mary Sutherland, Assistant Professor, work of Dick Berg. You can view it through our Alan English, Associate Professor, Hydrogeologist Retirees publications catalog. Hydrogeologist Connie Thomson, Hydrogeologist Thomas Patton, Chief Research Division John Foley, Museum Assistant Susan M. Vuke, Professor, Geologist The MBMG has several new members Ali Gebril, Associate Professor, Kirk Waren, Professor, Hydrogeologist replacing retirements in geology and hydro- Hydrogeologist Mark Wolfram, Professional Scientist, geology; a complete list of MBMG members Phyllis Hargrave, Assistant Professor, Hydrogeologist Geologist Petr Yakovlev, Assistant Professor, Geologist is included in this report. Tom Patton, most Denise Herman, Research Assistant recently our Research Division Chief, retired Gary Icopini, Professor, Hydrogeologist with 39 years of service. Tom was a hydroge- Stacey Konda, GWIC Lab Manager ologist and founding program manager of the Stanley Korzeb, Professor, Geologist Ground Water Assessment Program. John I. LaFave, Professor, Ground Water Assessment Program Manager Jeff rey D. Lonn, Associate Professor, Geologist John speaking to Montana Legislators before a tour of the Orphan Boy Mine on the Montana Tech campus, May 2018. 30 3 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 UUNO SAHINEN AWARD FINANCES

The Silver Medallion Award is given annually by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology in memory of Uuno The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology was estab- Sahinen, the fi rst full-time Director and State Geologist of the MBMG. The award is presented to those who have lished in 1919 to collect, interpret, and publish information achieved long-term signifi cant contributions to the understanding and development of the geologic and groundwa- on the geology of Montana. The main offi ce is on the ter resources of Montana. campus of Montana Tech in Butte and a second offi ce is in Billings at 101 Grand Avenue. Our staff is composed The 2017 Uuno Sahinen Silver Medallion Award was presented to Tom Osborne at the Montana Tech commence- of about 65 permanent employees in Butte and Billings, ment ceremony on Saturday, May 6, 2017. and about 30 students from Montana Tech, University of Montana, Montana State University, and MSU-Billings. Tom was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1948 and graduated from high school in Germantown, Wisconsin in 1966. His love of the hydrologic sciences Funding for the past biennium came from six originated with his dad, Joe, on the many fl oat trips they shared down the categories: (1) a biennial appropriation from the State’s rivers of northern Wisconsin. Tom attended the University of Wisconsin- general fund to maintain core programs; (2) a biennial ap- Stevens Point, earning bachelor of science degrees in Forestry and Natural propriation from the State’s general fund for the Ground Resources Management with honors. His fi rst trip to Montana was in 1970, but Water Investigation Program; (3) biennial appropriations that summer he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam with the from the State’s special accounts for the Ground Water 101st Airborne Division, directing artillery fi re from fi rebases near the DMZ, and Assessment Program; (4) contracts and grants derived later was the forward observer with the 2nd of the 327th Infantry near Cam through agreements with variety of Federal, State, and Ran Bay. He was honorably discharged Specialist Fourth Class and awarded the local organizations to address specifi c issues of mutual Bronze Star. interest to the sponsoring organization and the MBMG; (5) income from sales of MBMG publications; and (6) a Tom earned a master of science degree in Water Resources Management special one-time-only appropriation for Data Preservation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974. His thesis was entitled “Oil provided by the 2017 Legislature. Shale Development in Northwestern Colorado: Water and Related Land Impacts.” During this study, Tom met and married the love of his live, Angie, a The long-term trend for the four major sources of Leadville, Colorado girl. funding continues upward at a modest rate; the generos- ity of the Montana Legislature and Governor is refl ected in In 1976 Tom and Angie moved to Lame Deer, Montana, where he the steady growth of the core geologic programs as well worked for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe as the Principal Investigator for as the recent addition of the new ground water program. EPA-sponsored coal hydrology research studies. They moved to Butte in Many of the projects under contracts and grants rely on 1980, where Tom worked briefl y at MERDI, before accepting a position at the partial state support (matching funds); the decline in MBMG. Tom conducted landmark investigations of the irrigation water balance “soft money” refl ects continued reduction of funds from of the Greenfi elds Bench Irrigation District, and acid mine drainage baseline and mitigation studies of abandoned Federal sources as well as declining activities related to coal mines of Stockett-Sand Coulee, Montana. Superfund. Tom left the MBMG in 1986 to become the fi rst Director of the Central Wisconsin Groundwater Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In 1990, he returned to Billings to open an environmental consulting offi ce for the Braun Intertec, where he led many industry and governmental projects related to water, energy, and mineral resource development in Montana and Wyoming. In 1997, Tom founded his own consulting business, which in 1999 became HydroSolutions Inc., an environmental and engineering fi rm with offi ces in Billings and Helena. Tom is a Registered Professional Hydrologist with 42 years of experience working on water quality, mining hydrology, water supplies, contaminant cleanup, energy, and agricultural water issues, and provides expert services supporting litigation. He has authored and co-authored over 50 professional publications and presentations. He has been appointed to various scientifi c advisory boards and in 2013 was named a “Water Legend” by the Montana Chapter of AWRA. He and Angie have three adult children and nine grandchildren and are active in their church. His hobbies include hiking, fl oating, hunting and Nordic skiing, and he still competes in 50 km races. For the past 10 years, Tom has been active philanthropically and personally with water development projects in Africa.

4 29 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 MBMG GRANTS AND CONTRACTS in eﬀ ect during this biennium

Abdo, G., Water Effi ciency & Management, Farmers Canal Company of Gallatin County Bobst, A., Shallow Aquifer Study, MT Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Bobst, A., Hydrologic Monitoring & Analysis, Nature Conservancy Chandler, K., Stillwater County Groundwater, Stillwater County Conservation District The 2018 Uuno Sahinen Silver Medallion Award was presented to Tad Dale at the Montana Tech commencement Chandler, K., Stillwater CD/ CBMPP, Stillwater County Conservation District ceremony on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Chandler, K., Clear Lake Aquifer, Sheridan County Conservation District Delaney, M., Data Preservation, U.S. Department of Interior–Geological Survey Tad was born in Sheridan, Montana in 1951 and graduated Duaime, T., Natural Resources Damage Program, Montana Department of Justice from high school in Twin Bridges, Montana in 1969. He was raised Duaime, T., Groundwater Solution Report, Natural Resources Damage Program, Montana Department of Justice in a family that was involved in mining for three generations; his Duaime, T., Storm Water Monitoring, Natural Resources Damage Program, Montana Department of Justice great uncles came to the Tobacco Root Mountains in 1900 to Duaime, T., Butte Mine Flooding, MT Department of Environmental Quality establish a boarding house and way-station. Tad grew up with fi ve Duaime, T., Bullion & Crystal Mine, MT Department of Environmental Quality brothers who were always tagging along with their parents on Duaime, T., MRI - Berkeley Pit Remote Sampling, MT Recourses Inc. prospecting trips and gold panning adventures. Duaime, T., Groundwater Assessment, U.S. Department of Agriculture–Forest Service Tad earned a bachelor of science degree in Mining Engineer- English, A., NPS Database Administration, U.S. Department of Interior–National Parks Service English, A., NPS Long Term Monitoring, U.S. Department of Interior–National Parks Service ing from the Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology English, A., NPS Water Rights, U.S. Department of Interior–National Parks Service in 1973. He worked in both the underground and surface mines Gunderson, J., NCRDS, U.S. Department of Interior–Geological Survey of the Anaconda Company as a student miner while attending Icopini, G., Rocker Controlled Groundwater,MT Department of Environmental Quality college. In 1971 he married his high school sweetheart, Marilynn, Icopini, G., Belt Technical Assist., MT Department of Environmental Quality who was pursuing a degree in nursing from MSU in Bozeman. Icopini, G., Parrot Tailing Removal, Natural Resources Damage Program, Montana Department of Justice After graduation, Tad and Marilynn headed to Inspiration, Icopini, G., Mouat Industries Groundwater Monitoring, MT Department of Environmental Quality Arizona, where he started his career in copper mining while Kuzara, S., Carbon CD/ CBMPP, Carbon County Conservation District Marilynn worked at the company hospital. Tad served in several Kuzara, S., Carbon CD/ RRG-14-1603, Carbon County Conservation District engineer-in-training positions and was promoted to Drilling and Blasting Foreman in 1975; in 1976, they left Arizona Kuzara, S., Acid Mine Discharge, MT Department of Environmental Quality to return to their beloved state and family in Montana. Tad accepted the position of Mine Superintendent with Kuzara, S., Carbon County CD/ Pivot-installation, Carbon County Conservation District Pfi zer Inc., at their talc operation in Dillon. This was a very important time in their lives as they welcomed a daughter, Kuzara, S., Isotopic Fingerprint, U.S. Department of Interior–Offi ce of Surface Mining Shannon, in 1977, and son Jeremy in 1979. In 1981, at the age of 30, Tad was elected President of the Montana Mining LaFave, J., DNRC Baseline GWIC Data Entry, MT Department of Natural Resources and Conservation LaFave, J., MT NGWMN, U.S. Department of Interior–Geological Survey Association (MMA). He is still a member of the MMA Board of Directors, he drafted legislation that was passed into LaFave, J., National Groundwater Monitoring, U.S. Department of Interior–Geological Survey law as part of the Metal Mine Reclamation Act, and he served 6 years on the Environmental Quality Council. LaFave, J., MT NGWMN, U.S. Department of Interior–Geological Survey Tad left Pfi zer in 1988 and joined Pegasus Gold Corporation as a consulting engineer living in Butte and working LaFave, J., GW Assessment, U.S. Department of Agriculture–Forest Service for the operation at Montana Tunnels near Montana City. In 1989 he was hired as Senior Project Engineer for the LaFave, J., NRCS Technical Assistance, U.S. Department of Agriculture–Natural Resource Conservation Service construction and operation of the Pegasus Beal Mountain Mine near Anaconda. He left Pegasus Gold in 1995, to McDonald, C., StateMap, U.S. Department of Interior–Geological Survey pursue the development of his own cyanide heap leach gold mine near Norris, Montana. In 2003, he took the posi- Meredith, E., CBMP, Treasure County Conservation District tion of Environmental Manager for Montana Resources LLP in Butte. He was promoted to Vice President of Human Meredith, E., Big Horn CD/ RRG-14-1604, Big Horn County Conservation District Resources in 2005 and took over the responsibilities of permitting, reclamation, human resources, and security of Meredith, E., Water Quality Eastern MT, MT Department of Natural Resources and Conservation the mining operation. Meredith, E., Oil/ Gas Eastern MT, MT Department of Environmental Quality Meredith, E., Characterizing Naturally Occurring Contamination, MT Department of Natural Resources and Tad is a Registered Professional Engineer with a 42-year career in the business of mining before his retirement Conservation in 2015. He is also a member of the Society of Mining Engineers, holds a First-Class Blaster’s License, has been on the Meredith, E., BLM/ Groundwater Monitoring, U.S. Department of Interior - Bureau of Land Management Executive Board of Montana Tech, the Montana Tech Foundation Board, and in 2000 received the “Distinguished Reiten, J., Lostwood Complex, U.S. Department of Interior–Fish & Wildlife Services Alumni” Award from Montana Tech. He also served on the State Groundwater Assessment and Steering Committee Stickney, M., Flathead Seismic Monitoring, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes as an Industrial user representative. Tad has been active in support of a missionary training school, orphanage, and Stickney, M., Bitterroot Fault, U.S. Department of Interior–Geological Survey medical clinic in Tanzania, Africa. He is one of eight Dales to graduate from Montana Tech, all as Mining Engineers. Stickney, M., Lincoln Aftershock Analysis, U.S. Department of Interior–Geological Survey Timmer, J., Montana Pole DEQ, MT Department of Environmental Quality

28 5 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 GROUND WATER ASSESSMENT monitoring program, Duaime, T.E., and Icopini, G.A., 2017 water monitoring program, Duaime, T.E., and Icopini, The Legislature established the Ground Water Assessment Program (85-2-901 et seq.) in 1991 to improve the MBMG 659, Anaconda Smelter NPL Site Anaconda Regional understanding of Montana’s groundwater resources by collecting, interpreting, and disseminating essential ground- Water, Waste, and Soils Operable Unit—2014 Ground- G.A., 2017 water information. This information is vital for making science-based management decisions. water Monitoring Program 5-year Review (2010–2014)— MBMG 697, Stratigraphic cross There are three Program components: Sampling update, Duaime, T.E., and Icopini,G.A., 2017 section of Mississippian Groundwater Monitoring—to produce and maintain long-term water-level and water-quality records, MBMG 680, Groundwater resources of the Livingston and through lower Cretaceous lower Shields River Valley areas, Park County, Montana, rocks, northern Montana Groundwater Characterization—to systematically assess and document the hydrogeology and quality of the State’s major aquifers, and Olson, J., Kuzara, S., and Meredith, E., 2016 disturbed belt to Williston Basin, Montana, Gunderson, Groundwater Information Center (GWIC) database—to make groundwater information widely available. MBMG 681, Stratigraphic cross section of upper Mississippian through lower Cretaceous rocks, Judith Basin, Montana J.A. and Furer, L.C., 2017 An interagency Steering Committee selects study areas, coordinates groundwater research among State, Federal, and local government units, and oversees Assessment Program progress. to Big Horn Basin, Wyoming, Furer, L.C., and Gunderson, MBMG 698, Evaluation of poten- J.A., 2016 tial high-yield groundwater Ground Water Monitoring MBMG 682, Hydrogeologic investigation of the Boulder development in the Gallatin The Ground Water Valley, Gallatin County, Monitoring Program Valley, Jeff erson County, Montana: Interpretive report, collects quarterly water- Bobst, A., Butler, J., and Carlson L., 2016 Montana, English, A.R., 2018 level measurements from MBMG 683, Geologic map of the Opportunity 7.5’ quadrangle, MBMG 699, Proceedings of strategically located wells southwestern Montana, Scarberry, K.C., and Elliott, C., the Montana Mining and across the State. Long-term 2016 Mineral Symposium 2017, groundwater-level records Scarberry, K.C., and Barth, are the only direct measure MBMG 684, Occurrence and distribution of organic waste- of how Montana’s aquifers water contaminants in waters of the Gallatin Valley, S., 2018 respond to seasonal, Gallatin County, Montana, Icopini, G.A., Swinney, T., and MBMG 700, Butte Mine Flooding climatic, developmental, or English, A., 2016 Operable Unit, water-level land-use factors. Long-term MBMG 685, Montana mining and mineral symposium pro- monitoring and water-quality sampling 2016 consent decree groundwater hydrographs update, Butte, Montana 1982–2016, Duaime, T.E., McGrath, are similar to long-term ceedings, 2016, Korzeb, S. and Scarberry, K.C., 2017 S.T., Icopini, G.A., and Thale, P.R., 2018 records of stream fl ow and MBMG 686, Geologic map of the Moose Creek 7.5’ quad- precipitation, and must be rangle, Lewis and Clark and Powell counties, Montana, MBMG 701, Geologic map of the Lemhi Pass quadrangle, Lemhi evaluated at decadal scales. McDonald, C., 2017 County, Idaho, and Beaverhead County, Montana, Bur- Since 1993, the MBMG MBMG 687, Geologic map of the Helmville 7.5’ quadrangle, mester, R.F., Mosolf, J., Stanford, L.R., Lewis, R.S., Othberg, has been collecting system- Powell County, Montana, McDonald, C., and Vuke, S.M., K.L., and Lonn, J.D., 2018 atic groundwater-level data 2017 MBMG 702, Water resource sampling in areas of oil and gas from a 900+ well statewide development, Meredith, E., and Kuzara, S., 2018 network; some wells have MBMG 688, Hydrogeologic investigation of the Boulder Val- been regularly monitored ley, Jeff erson County, Montana: Groundwater modeling MBMG 703, Three-dimensional hydrostratigraphic model of the since the 1950s. The report, Butler, J., and Bobst, A., 2017 subsurface geology, Flathead Valley, Kalispell, Montana, network covers the State’s MBMG 689, Geologic map of the Helena Valley, west-central Rose, J., 2018 major aquifers and includes Montana, Stickney, M.C., and Vuke, S.M., 2017 wells that range from ~10 Miscellaneous Publications MBMG 690, Geologic map of part of the Lick Creek 7.5’ quad- feet to ~3,600 feet in depth. MISC 60, 2017 MBMG calendar: Featuring the Big Butte and the rangle, southwest Montana, Lonn, J.D., 2017 Water levels in many Lowland Creek volcanic fi eld, Metesh, J.J., and Scarberry, K., Montana aquifers follow natural seasonal patterns, typically rising each spring and early summer, and declining MBMG 691, Geologic map of the Wilborn 7.5’ quadrangle, 2016 during the late summer and fall. In addition to the seasonal response, water levels respond to other stresses such west-central Montana, Bregman, M.L., 2017 MISC 61, 2017 Geologic Map of Montana Postcard, 2017 as pumping (response may occur in hours or days), climate variability or drought (response may occur in years to MBMG 692, Geologic map of the Lima Peaks 7.5’ quadrangle, decades), and widespread development (response occurs at varying time scales). Montana’s long-term network MISC 62, 2018 MBMG calendar: Glacial Lake Missoula and the Ice Beaverhead County, Montana, Skipp, B.A., Perry, W.J. Jr., is beginning to show where and which aquifers are impacted by these diff erent stresses, highlighting the value of Age fl oods, 2017 long-term, decadal-length records. Without continued monitoring, Montanans would have no data about these and Janecke, S.U., 2017 important issues. MBMG 693, Geologic map of the Gravely Mountain 7.5’ quad- Reports of Investigation rangle, Powell County, Montana, Mosolf, J., and Vuke, S., RI 24, Investigation of Late Quaternary Fault Scarps along the Bit- GWIC BY THE NUMBERS 2017 terroot Fault in western Montana, Stickney, M.C., and Lonn, • More than 36,063 registered users • Scanned images for 243,100 well log documents MBMG 694, 2016 annual coalbed methane regional ground- J.D., 2018 water monitoring report: Powder River Basin, Montana, RI 25, Coal resources of the Late Cretaceous Judith River and • Currently about 4,100 sessions and 92,600 queries • Results from 89,086 samples for 19,409 sites each month Kuzara, S., Bierbach, S., and Meredith, E., 2017 Eagle Formations, north-central Montana, Gunderson, Jay • 35.6 million water-level measurements MBMG 695, Anaconda Smelter NPL Site Anaconda Regional A., 2018 • Information on 260,200 wells and boreholes Water, Waste, and Soils Operable Unit—2011 ground- 6 27 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 Ground Water Characterization Program INFORMATION SERVICES The Characterization Program provides basic information about aquifers within specifi c areas as prioritized by the Ground Water Assessment Steering Committee. Areas where the Characterization Program has worked, and will The Information Services Division is responsible for creating, editing, and distributing MBMG work, are shown on the map below. publications and reports to the public, both through our Publication Sales offi ce and the MBMG’s website. Visit the MBMG site, http://www.mbmg.mtech.edu, or come see us in the Natural Resources Building. Characterization fi eld staff are currently working in Lincoln and New publications in this biennium: Sanders Counties to assess the basin- fi ll and fractured-rock aquifers that supply most rural homes and several Bulletins GWAA 8-03, Groundwater quality of Gallatin and Madison Coun- municipalities. ties, southwest Montana, Carstarphen, C.A., and LaFave, B 136, Sapphire Deposits along the Missouri River near Helena, To date, more than 9,000 wells J.I., 2018 Montana, Berg, Richard B., Landry, Martin D., 2018 have been visited and about 3,000 groundwater samples have been B 137, Interpretations and Genesis of Cretaceous Age Veins and Hydrogeologic Maps collected. These data have been used Exploration Potential for the Emery Mining District, Powell HM 10, Fluoride concentrations in Montana’s groundwater, to compile 67 maps and reports that County, Montana, Korzeb, S.L., Scarberry, K.C., and Zim- LaFave, J.I., Carstarphen, C.A., and Crowley, J., 2017 describe specifi c aspects of Montana’s merman, J.L., 2018 HM 11, Principal aquifers of Montana, Crowley, J.J., LaFave, J.I., aquifers, groundwater fl ow systems, and groundwater quality. Digital Publications Bergantino, R.N., Carstarphen, C.A., and Patton, T.W., 2017 DIGITALPUB 1, Sapphires in Montana, Li, Y., 2018 Information Pamphlet Ground Water Information Center (GWIC) EDMAP IP 10, Groundwater sampling around oil and gas develop- EDMAP 11, Geologic map of the Mount Thompson 7.5’ quadran- The Ground Water Information Center (GWIC) is the repository for the State’s groundwater information. The ment, Meredith, E., Brown, gle, southwest Montana, Olson, N.H., Sepp, M.D., Mankins, website (http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu/) provides online access to water-well logs, hydrographs that track water A., and Bierbach. S., 2017 N.E., Blessing, J.M., Dilles, J. H., and Scarberry, K.C., 2017 levels in the State’s major aquifers, maps of groundwater fl ow systems, and water-quality reports describing ground- IP 11, Groundwater quality in water conditions across Montana, as well as a variety of fi eld, chemical, and physical data. EDMAP 12, Geologic map of the Ashbough Canyon 7.5’ quad- the Shields River Basin of This biennium, GWIC staff invested considerable time and eff ort into collecting and delivering water-quality data, rangle, Beaverhead County, Montana, Crawford, B. M., and south-central Montana: populating the GWIC aquifer test database, and responding to HB 110 inquiries. GWIC worked with the Department Pearson, D.M., 2018 Assessment of oil and gas of Natural Resources and Conservation to store baseline-sampling data collected from oil exploration areas in Geologic Maps drilling impacts and baseline Montana as well as other data sets from around the State. GWIC continues to receive aquifer tests as required by M.C.A. 85-2-522. After the aquifer tests arrive at the MBMG, the data are extracted and uploaded into the GWIC conditions, Blythe, Daniel D., GM 67, Geologic map of the Coyote Creek 7.5’ quadrangle, database. GWIC staff also spent a considerable amount of time assisting Montanans in collecting their water well log southwest Montana, Sherwin, J.-A., Younggren, E.B, Link, 2017 information to satisfy HB 110 requirements (2017 Legislative Session). P.K., and Gaschnig, R.M., 2017 IP 12, Groundwater/surface-water As part of the evolving Data Center at the MBMG, GWIC provides interactive web mapping applications that GM 68, Geologic map of the Boulder East 7.5’ quadrangle, study in the Boulder Valley: allow online data visualization and facilitate map-based data retrievals for water wells, seismic activity, and native southwest Montana, Scarberry, K.C., Kallio. I.M., and Eng- Eff ects of groundwater withdrawal, Bobst, A., and Abdo, proppants. The newest application is the Surface Water Assessment and Monitoring Program (SWAMP) mapper. lish, A.R., 2017 G., 2017 GM 69, Geologic map of the Stine Mountain 7.5’ quadrangle, Surface water collected Open-File Reports by the Department of Natu- southwest Montana, Lonn, J.D., and Elliott, C.G., 2017 MBMG 639, Anaconda Smelter NPL Site Anaconda Regional ral Resources and Conserva- GM 70, Geologic map of the Lincoln Gulch 7.5’ quadrangle, Water, Waste, and Soils Operable Unit—2012 groundwater tion (real-time and manually southwestern Montana, Elliott, C.G., 2017 monitoring program, Duaime, T.E, and Icopini, G.A., 2017 downloaded gauges) and MBMG 641, Butte Mine Flooding Operable Unit water-level the MBMG are available for Ground-Water Atlas Series display and download. All monitoring and water-quality sampling 2012 consent de- GWAA 7-04, Potentiometric surface in the Madison Group new data for the real-time cree update, Butte, Montana, 1982–2012, Duaime, T.E., Aquifer, Cascade County, north-central Montana, Madison, gauges are available at Tucci, N.J., and Smith, M.G., 2018 the top of every hour. The J.P., 2016 MBMG 644, Anaconda Smelter NPL Site Anaconda Regional stream gauges monitored Information Services Statistics Water, Waste, and Soils Operable Unit—2010 groundwater and maintained by the USGS are also included for viewing. monitoring program, Duaime, T.E., and Icopini, G.A., 2017 Publication Sales: Currently there are 176 • 956 titles MBMG 650, Butte Mine Flooding Operable Unit water-level locations; 29 sites provide • 16,804 items sold monitoring and water-quality sampling 2013 consent de- real-time discharge, stage, • 49 items published/released cree update, Butte, Montana, 1982–2013, Duaime, T.E., and temperature data. Data downloaded: Tucci, N.J., and Smith, M.G., 2018 • 1,725 titles MBMG 653, Anaconda Smelter NPL Site Anaconda Regional • 260,142 fi les Water, Waste, and Soils Operable Unit--2013 groundwater SWAMP Mapper application (http://data.mbmg.mtech.edu/mapper/mapper .asp?view=Swamp&) 26 7 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 GROUND WATER INVESTIGATION PROGRAM

The Ground Water Investigation Program (GWIP) answers locally identifi ed, site-specifi c questions prioritized by the Montana Ground Water Steering Committee (MCA 85-2-525). As mandated by the Montana Legislature, GWIP answers the most urgent groundwater questions in the State. Future water management will refl ect the increasing value of Montana’s water resources and must address decisions about competing needs for water. In Montana, groundwater is essential for safe drinking water supplies and for economic growth. On average, approximately 272,000,000 gallons (835 acre-feet) are extracted from Montana’s aquifers every day. In many areas of the State, groundwater is the only reliable year-round source of water for household use and for livestock. Groundwater is also widely used for irrigated agriculture and for lawns and gardens, and it provides basefl ow to streams and rivers. Changing land use and demographics can alter groundwater withdrawals that could directly aff ect senior water-rights holders, streamfl ows, the availability of irrigation water, and the health of aquatic ecosystems. Montana is a headwater state, and our snowpack (the ultimate water reservoir) and runoff patterns are changing. Land use is changing. Montanans are increasingly concerned about how best to plan for future water supplies, and how to ensure that water policy is based on the best available science. Current topics of investigation include: • Eff ects of changing irrigation methods on groundwater recharge and surface-water basefl ow (i.e., converting from fl ood to pivot irrigation). • Identifying natural and man-made infl uences on stream dewatering. • Aquifer and stream response to changing land use from irrigated agriculture to residential development. • Hydrogeologic viability of replacing surface-water diversion points with irrigation wells. • Groundwater sustainability in response to increasing residential and commercial demands. • Changes in water quality due to increasing subdivisions. • Aquifer sustainability in response to increasing numbers of irrigation wells. Seismograph stations connected in real time to the Earthquake Studies Offi ce and used to locate 2016–2018 earthquakes. Network • Viability of developing buried river channel aquifers. codes are: MB, MBMG; US,USGS National; IW, USGS Intermountain West; WY, University of Utah Yellowstone; IE, Idaho National • Impact on stream fl ow of increasing groundwater withdrawals. Labs; UW, University of Washington; CN, Canadian national; IU, Global Seismograph Network; RC, BYU Idaho; RV, Regional Alberta Observatory for earthquake studies network; UM, University of Montana temporary stations; UU, University of Utah temporary stations; and GS, USGS temporary stations. Program Products On July 6, 2017, Montana experienced its GWIP products are designed to provide a detailed understanding of the groundwater and surface-water systems. largest earthquake during the past 58 years. The information and tools such as numerical models can then be used by regulators, senior water-rights holders, The magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred 8 new water-rights applicants, and other stakeholders to make informed water management decisions and to help miles southeast of Lincoln and was the largest anticipate hydrogeologic eff ects from changes in land use. 2017 earthquake in the lower 48 states. * Every GWIP investigation produces a detailed Although felt throughout western Montana and surrounding areas, no serious structural published report on the hydrogeologic system damage was reported, but items fell from and responses to current and anticipated shelves up to 60 miles from the epicenter. stresses. MBMG personnel collaborated with University * In addition, most projects include a computer of Montana researchers to deploy 10 portable model that simulates specifi c hydrogeologic seismographs in the Lincoln region to monitor features and stress responses, and is available and analyze ongoing aftershock activity, which has so far included more than 3,400 online for future test scenarios. earthquakes. * A comprehensive set of hydrogeologic data are Current seismograms from the MBMG compiled for each site and are permanently avail- network are available on the MBMG Earth- able online through the Ground Water Informa- quake Studies Offi ce website (http://www. tion Center (http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu/). mbmg.mtech.edu/quakes/quake.asp), along with a listing of recent earthquakes and other information about seismic hazards in Mon- Land features in the Big Sky area are shown in this 3-D surface map (created tana. Information about Montana seismicity, from DEM data – USGS). A numerical groundwater model developed for the faults, and earthquake hazards is available at: Meadow Village area demonstrates the connection between surface and ground- Location of the July 6, 2017, magnitude 5.8 Lincoln earthquake (star) and http://data.mbmg.mtech.edu/mapper/. water and the eff ects of pumping on the West Fork of the Gallatin River. more than 3,400 aftershocks during the following 12 months. 8 25 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 EARTHQUAKE STUDIES Program Status Western Montana has a history of large, damaging earthquakes and remains seismically active. Most of these earthquakes (including the 1925 magnitude 6.6 Clarkston earthquake centered north of Three Forks, and the magnitude 6.3 and 6.0 Helena earthquakes in 1935) occur 3 to 10 miles deep along faults that do not extend to the Earth’s surface. The seismic hazards associated with these “blind” faults cannot be evaluated with traditional surfi cial fault mapping and are best studied with data from a permanent network of seismograph stations. As the population and infrastructure of earthquake-prone western Montana continues to grow, the exposure to seismic hazards—the risk—increases. The MBMG operates a network of 40 seismic monitoring stations throughout western Montana, the most seismically Installing a temporary seismograph along the Continental Divide active region of the State. The MBMG receives seismic data southeast of Lincoln to monitor aftershocks. from seven USGS stations in Montana, including four stations in eastern Montana. Other regional seismic monitoring centers in Yellowstone National Park, central Idaho, and southern Canada exchange seismic data with the MBMG and provide additional monitoring coverage near Montana’s borders. The MBMG has installed NetQuakes seismographs at fi ve homes and fi re stations in western Montana. These small instruments detect signifi cant ground motions at urban locations and send the data to a central server via the internet. The MBMG records a total of 169 channels of real-time seismic data from 92 local and regional stations in 13 diff erent networks. These seismic data are used to detect and report earthquake locations and magnitudes to the National Earthquake Information Center. State and Federal agencies (Montana Disaster and Emergency Services, Montana Dam Safety Program, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Safety of Dams Program, and the U.S. Geological Survey), the media, and the public use this information. As part of its routine earthquake cataloging procedure, the MBMG determined times, locations, and magnitudes for 9,171 earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from -1.0 to 5.8 from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018. To date, more than 70 projects have been nominated and prioritized by the Ground Water Steering Committee. Results are presented in public forums, question and answer opportunities, conferences and published reports. Results of GWIP projects have been used in water-right permit decisions, water-resource development, and county planning.

New GWIP Projects (start 2019): • Musselshell River, Musselshell, and Petroleum Counties—Agricultural producers struggle with salinity in stock reservoirs, saline seeps, and river water. GWIP will defi ne the relationship between groundwater and increases in stream salinity, and evaluate whether irrigation practices are contributing to high salinity. • East Flathead Valley, Flathead County—Confl icts over water rights occur because of the lack of information on how groundwater and surface water is connected. GWIP will evaluate the eff ects of pumping on surface water from the shallow and deep groundwater aquifer systems.

0DJQLWXGH • Upper Gallatin Corridor, Gallatin County—There is concern over the increased development in the Upper Gallatin River area adjacent to Big Sky and the eﬀ ects on water availability and quality. GWIP will assess the eﬀ ects of existing and future development on the sustainability of water resources.

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Drilling in the Sidney area was used to defi ne the Epicenter locations for 9,171 earthquakes located by the MBMG from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018. extent of the West Crane aquifer. 24 9 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 GEOLOGIC MAPPING ANALYTICAL LABORATORY Geologic maps provide essential The MBMG Analytical Laboratory conducts analytical method develop- information for managing Montana’s ment and sample analyses in support of research being done by MBMG water, land, mineral, and energy resources. programs. Although the lab is licensed by the State of Montana–Depart- During the past biennium, the Montana ment of Health and Human Services to analyze drinking water supplies, Bureau of Mines and Geology published we typically do not perform analyses for the general public. Our QA/QC 14 new geologic maps based on fi eld work program meets criteria established by the U.S. Environmental Protection conducted through the STATEMAP Program, Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey. a component of the National Cooperative The inorganic lab routinely determines major anions, cations, trace Geologic Mapping Program. Funding for metals, selected rare earth metals, selected isotopes, alkalinity, pH, and STATEMAP is awarded by the U.S. Geological radon. The primary focus of the organic lab is the determination of acidic Survey through a competitive grant process compounds, polynuclear aromatic compounds, and extractable petroleum that requires matching dollars from the hydrocarbons in waters and soils. All groundwater data obtained by the lab State and completion of all funded maps are reported in the GWIC database. In addition to supporting the numer- within 1 year. ous research projects and ongoing monitoring by MBMG programs, the Map areas are prioritized by a Analytical Lab works closely with several departments of Montana Tech to STATEMAP Advisory Committee that repre- provide analyses to both graduate and undergraduate research. Available sents Montana industries and universities, instrumentation includes: as well as Federal, State, and Tribal agencies. The main priority established by the Commit- • Thermo Scientifi c iCAP Q inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometer (ICP/MS) for trace metal analyses tee is to complete geologic maps of all 30’ • Thermo Scientifi c iCAP 6000 Series inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICPOES) for determining x 60’ quadrangles in Montana. The MBMG major cations fi nished mapping in eastern and central Bannock Pass along the Montana-Idaho border in southwest Montana. The • Two Metrohm Compact IC Plus instruments for anion analyses Montana in 2014 and has focused on south- MBMG and the Idaho Geologic Survey are working together on map projects in • Metrohm Robotic Titrator for measuring pH, conductivity, and alkalinity this area to ensure the geology matches. • Picarro Isotopic Water Analyzer, L2130-i for water isotope analysis western Montana since 2015. During the 13 • Picarro δ13C High-Precision Isotopic carbon dioxide (CO2) analyzer, G2131-i for C isotopic analysis of CO2 in water; a past biennium, the MBMG completed maps 13 of the Salmon, Elliston, and Butte North 30’ x 60’ quadrangles, which are soon to be published. Mapping continues Costech Combustion Module was added to the Picarro G1231-i to allow for C isotopic analyses of solid samples in the Wisdom and Dillon 30’ x 60’ quadrangles, and is expected to fi nish by 2021. In 2018, the MBMG began mapping • Aurora 1030 Wet Oxidation TOC Analyzer for analyzing organic and inorganic carbon in water samples in northwestern Montana on the Polson 30’ x 60’ quadrangle, which will include new mapping on the Flathead • Agilent gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer detector (GC/MS) for organic compounds Indian Reservation. • Agilent gas chromatograph with electron capture detector (ECD) for extractable hydrocarbons • Hidex 300SL Liquid Scintillation Counter for determination of radon in water GIS LAB The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Lab provides mapping and spatial analysis support for a number of MBMG programs. The geologic mapping program is the most visible program in the GIS Lab, but other programs such as Superfund and the various groundwater eff orts are collaborating programs as well. The MBMG gained a valuable member in 2015 with the addition of Yiwen Li to the staff in the GIS Lab. Yiwen joins us after completing a Master of Geographic Information Systems at the University of Minnesota. Since she began work here, she has proven herself an asset to many programs, projects, and individual staff members. She has demonstrated skills in enterprise level spatial database development and administration, online mapping applications and web development, and will be teaching graduate level classes in GIS on the Montana Tech campus. In her spare time, Yiwen is also pursuing an online Master of Computer Science program from Johns Hopkins University. Her goal is to develop additional skills in computer science and apply them to her work in GIS. Staff in the GIS Lab are collaborating with other MBMG professionals to further develop, refi ne, and integrate our statewide geology layers. The MBMG has released 3 separate statewide geology datasets in the past few years and is now working to more closely integrate these 3 datasets. Geologists and GIS staff developed statewide geologic datasets at the 1:500,000 and 1:1,000,000 scale. Our most recent and long-term eff ort is to complete our ‘seamless’ geology at the 1:100,000 scale. The state is approximately 75% complete at this scale, but some of the most challenging work is yet ahead. The MBMG provides these datasets as free downloads for use in ESRI ArcGIS software or as online map services for use in ESRI software. The MBMG also provides web applications for public access to these geology layers for use without the need for specialized or proprietary software.

Current status of 1:100,000-scale geologic mapping in Montana. 10 23 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 The Advisory Committee’s second priority is detailed maps that focus on signifi cant geologic issues, transporta- MINERAL MUSEUM tion corridors, or on areas where development is occurring or anticipated. Fourteen geologic maps of this type were published during the past biennium. They include several geologic maps in the Elliston area, along with maps near Butte and Wisdom. Preparation of 15 other large-scale maps is underway. The Mineral Museum on the Montana Tech campus began with the In 2018, MBMG geologists initiated a Geologic Hazards Program that aims to provide high-quality information on purchase of 177 specimens within 6 months of the founding of the landslides and earthquakes. The program’s fi rst goal is to update the map and database of active faults in Montana. Montana School of Mines, in 1901. Today, the MBMG curates over Faults are considered active if they are likely to produce earthquakes. The last map of active faults in Montana 12,000 specimens from all over the world, with new acquisitions every contained 116 faults, and was published in 2000. MBMG geologists have updated the database to include 340 active year. faults and 667 potentially active faults in southwestern Montana alone, primarily using geologic maps published by This biennium the Museum hosted approximately 14,250 visitors, the MBMG in the past two decades. including 136 tour groups with both students and adults. Work on geologic hazards is enhanced by the availability of LiDAR data, which provides very detailed images of the ground surface. For example, LiDAR data recently collected in the Bitterroot Valley reveal geologically young Over this biennium, the Mineral Museum received 149 new speci- faults along the west side of the valley. MBMG personnel used these data to create detailed geological maps and mens from 16 individual donors. assess the timing and number of past earthquakes. The evidence indicates that at least one major earthquake has Rhodochrosite with minor quartz and pyrite. Location: occurred since the last ice age (about 12,000 years ago) and that future earthquakes in the rapidly developing Bitter- Lexington Mine, Butte. Donor: F.M. “Bill” Osborne. root Valley are a possibility. The development of a geologic hazards program allows the MBMG to apply for federal funding to assess earthquake potential in Montana, thereby increasing value for Montana taxpayers. Signifi cant donations include:

• Keith Dyas, a Tech Alumnus, donated a Pre-Columbian bowl from South America and two bronze age clay vessels from the island of Cyprus. • Jerry Hancock donated a calcite cluster from Gallatin County, MT. • Grey Weaver donated an amethyst scepter from Crystal Park, MT. • Kyle Eastman, a Montana Tech graduate student, donated two rare samples of turquoise from the Continental Pit at Butte, MT. • Marvin Ratcliﬀ donated a framed piece of rock art. • Blaze Wharton donated sapphires from the Missouri River gravels near Helena, MT. • Bruce Ligo donated two rare starﬁ sh fossils from central Montana. • Dona and Randy Reinikka donated two specimens of “Oregon sunstone.” • John Osborne donated an extensive collection of Butte minerals from his father Bill’s collection. • Dr. Richard Berg donated sapphires from the Rock Creek area, MT. High-resolution LiDAR data can help geologists identify and map geologic hazards. On the left is a LiDAR image showing the area The Mineral Museum has also hosted lunches for Montana Tech Alumni and a Legislative committee and a meet and near Como Dam in the Bitterroot Valley. The dashed red line follows the trace of the recently recognized fault scarps along the west greet event for the Bureau’s Symposium. side of the valley. The image on the right shows exceptional detail of a landslide near Virginia City in an area recently mapped by MBMG. The blue line is the landslide boundary, the white is the main headscarp.

Sphalerite and quartz with minor pyrite. Location: Turquoise in altered granite. Location: Continental Anselmo Mine, Butte. Donor: F.M. “Bill” Osborne. Pit, Butte. Donor: Kyle Eastman. Geologist Petr Yakovlev collecting data in the Dillon area. Cobble conglomerate forms a distinctive map unit in the Dillon area where MBMG geologists are working. 22 11 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 ENVIRONMENTAL HYDROGEOLOGY: per month from the pit water. A full-scale water treatment pilot project is expected to begin in 2019. Barrick Gold Corporation operates the Golden Sunlight mine near Whitehall for gold. The open pit has been TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS closed since 2016 and operations went underground, called the 2 Bug mine. The 2 Bug mine is expected to close in Mineral extraction in Butte and the surrounding area dates to the 1860s and continues today. Over the course 2019. A new gold resource was discovered 0.75 miles north of the current mine, called the Apex. The Apex mine will of the past 150 years, mining methods have changed and evolved to the development of large-scale open pit mines. be an underground operation and is currently being developed and is expected to go into operation when the 2 Bug The Berkeley Pit grew out of the expansion of underground mining as a means to extract low-grade ore in a more mine closes. economic manner not suitable for underground mining. The Berkeley Pit and associated underground workings are part of the larger Clark Fork Basin Federal Superfund Complex, and the MBMG has been actively involved with Exploration groundwater and surface-water monitoring and sampling for the past 35 years (fi gure 1). Over this time period numerous challenges to those activities have occurred, the most recent being the need to continue semi-annual New exploration projects sampling of the Berkeley Pit without putting staff physically on the pit water. Due to a series of small to moderate for gold, silver, copper, lead, slope failures (landslides) in the southeast portion of the pit, safety concerns have prevented sample collection in and zinc resources were started the Berkeley Pit since the fall of 2012. in the past 2 years, and past The MBMG and the Montana Tech Electrical projects are still ongoing. Since Engineering Department have worked jointly there is renewed interest by the to develop a remote-controlled monitoring/ mining industry in critical metals, sampling system. Funding for this work was future exploration may be provided by Montana Resources and Atlantic centered in searching for these Richfi eld, in cooperation with the U.S. EPA and metals. MT DEQ. The Black Butte copper The systems have been mounted on a project located near White typical drift boat (fi gure 1) controlled from Sulfur Springs, Meagher County, the safety of the Berkeley Pit rim. The boat is is past the exploration stage and powered by two electric trolling motors that is now engaged in the permit- can be either preprogrammed for a specifi c ting process. In 2017 Sandfi re location on the pit water surface or maneuvered Resources NL, an Australian manually to a location on the water surface. company, took control of the Multiple water sampling and profi ling events project from Tintina Resources. of the Berkeley Pit’s water column were Tintina Resources changed its conducted during the biennium. Figure 2 shows name to Sandfi re Resources the boat returning to shore following a sample America in 2018. In September event. A quartz vein exposed at the State mine, Big Foot mining district. 2017, a draft operating permit was issued, leading to the preparation of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS). A draft EIS is expected to be Figure 1. The Berkeley Pit in 1984. submitted to DEQ by Winter 2019 and the fi nal EIS might be submitted in June 2019. Brixton Metals Corporation started an exploration project searching for near-surface high-grade polymetallic Real-time data are sent from silver–gold veins and breccia and a deep copper porphyry target in the Hog Heaven mining district located south- the monitoring system to the west of Kalispell in Flathead County. The company received an exploration/drilling permit from DEQ and renewed communication center on the the operating permit. Exploration activity consisted of two geophysical surveys, construction of a new core facility, rim for use in selecting depths and data entry of historic assay and drill data. Two Master’s students from Montana Tech are being funded by the to collect water-quality samples. company to study the alteration and mineralogy to further the understanding of the mineralizing processes. Figure 3 shows these data for pH and temperature during the fall Kennecott Exploration Company is continuing exploration for a deep copper porphyry in the copper Cliff mining 2017 sample event. Based on this district located near Potomac, Missoula County. In 2017, drilling continued from two drill sites, and past drill sites information, water samples were were reclaimed. Past drilling located a copper porphyry 4,000 feet deep with economic copper grades. Future drill- collected from fi ve diff erent depths ing will include infi ll drilling between exploration holes to better defi ne the limits and grade of the copper porphyry. from 3 ft below the water surface Kennecott upgraded the exploration project to the intermediate stage. to 450 ft. The Gallatin National Forest was closed in 2018 to mineral entry, but Lucky Minerals has plans to continue with their exploration project in the Emigrant mining district. A suit was fi led in 2018 by the Yellowstone Coalition and Park County Environmental Council to stop the project. The suit was unsuccessful and Lucky Minerals’ private property rights were upheld by the court. The planned drilling targeting a potential porphyry system is on hold until Lucky Minerals obtains suffi cient funds. Hecla Mining Is undergoing the permitting process to open the Montanore and Rock Creek Mines. For the Rock Creek project, the U.S. Forest Service in 2017 issued a fi nal Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. For the Montanore project, a court order required the U.S. Forest Service to submit a new Record of Decision and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to submit a new Biological Opinions report.

Figure 2. The drone boat in action. 12 21 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY pH/Temperature (0C) In 2014 the MBMG’s Economic Geology program began to pH Temp reevaluate the potential for metallic mineral deposits in historic 3.00 3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80 4.00 4.20 4.40 4.60 4.80 5.00 mining districts for future exploration. Currently, the MBMG 0 is continuing to focus on mining districts associated with the Boulder Batholith. In this biennium: 100 • Results from the Emery mining district were published in 2018 as Bulletin 137. • Analytical results for the Oro Fino district east of Galen show 200 exploration potential for shallow epithermal silver base-metal veins and for a deep seated porphyry system. 300 • A lead isotope study was completed on the Boulder Batholith epithermal veins indicating a relationship between the intrusions Depth (ft) and volcanic rocks and vein systems, suggesting a magmatic 400 source for mineralizing ﬂ uids.

• Fieldwork and sample analysis was completed for the Big Foot 500 district north of Whitehall. Analytical results are currently being evaluated. • Fieldwork was completed for the Lowland district located in 600 the Lowland Creek drainage.

With improved metal prices there is renewed interest in 700 exploration for mineral resources in Montana. The MBMG was approached by Kenor Land Minerals, a Canadian-based company, Figure 3. Data for pH and temperature during the fall 2017 sample event of the Berkeley Pit. Ore bin at the East Pacifi c mine located in the Park and Sandfi re Resources NL, who acquired the Black Butte Copper mining district. project, for possible exploration opportunities. There is renewed interest in the mining industry to explore for critical metals used in batteries, high-tech electronics, renewable energy projects, and electric cars. Some of these elements include cobalt, cadmium, lithium, Current Projects vanadium, germanium, gallium, tellurium, and rare earth elements. A consultant from Torquat Resources LLC who is representing an Australian mining company inquired on potential vanadium resources in the Phosphoria Formation • Butte Mine Flooding Long-Term Monitoring and Heath shale. • Basin Watershed-Acid Mine Drainage (Bullion and Current Mining Operations Crystal Mines) • Rocker Controlled Groundwater Area Mines operated by Sibanye Gold Limited, Montana Resources, and Barrick Gold Corpora- • Belt, MT Acid Mine Drainage: Groundwater Monitoring tion are currently in production. Program Stillwater Mining Company was acquired • Mouat Superfund Site, Columbus, MT: Long-term Ground- by Sibanye Gold Limited, a South African gold water Monitoring mining company, on May 4, 2017. Sibanye Gold • Flat Creek, Superior, MT: Groundwater Assessment Limited is currently operating the Stillwater and East Boulder mines near Columbus for platinum • Berkeley Pit: Autonomous Sample Boat Program group elements (PGE). A new decline in the • Private Well Sampling Program, Butte Controlled Ground- Stillwater mine, the Blitz section, was completed and started production in 2017. water Area Montana Resources operates the Continen- • Butte Area One: DOJ Technical Assistance tal mine in Butte for copper and molybdenum. • Parrot Tailings: Groundwater Evaluation Montana Resources applied to DEQ in 2018 for a permit to expand the tailings impoundment • Mill Creek: Stormwater Monitoring by increasing the height of the tailings dam • Butte Area One: Groundwater Solutions by 50 feet. The tailings pond expansion will accommodate another 10 years of mining. In • Determining Surface Water Infl uences on Groundwater 2018 Montana Resources began a pilot project Upper Silver Bow Drainage MBMG Scientist Gary Icopini drilling in the Flat Creek pumping and treating water from the Berkeley drainage for a study to locate an alternative water pit. They expect to recover 100,000 lbs of copper The ore bin for the Champion mine in the Oro Fino mining district. source for the town of Superior, Montana. 20 13 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 ENERGY RESOURCES Irrigation–Groundwater–Surface Water Interaction The unintended consequences of converting fl ood-irrigated land to sprinkler irrigation are not currently part Coal Assessment and Availability Studies of the normal dialogue. The economic and conservation benefi ts of pivot irrigation are convincing many Montana irrigators to install sprinkler irrigation systems that allow for more precise management of water and soil and require Montana leads the nation with 120 billion tons of demonstrated coal reserves. Montana ranks 7th in annual coal less operator time. For malt barley and sugar beet growers in south-central Montana there is specifi c pressure from production with fi ve surface mines and one underground mine producing about 35 million short tons per year. retailers to demonstrate water conservation. However, rural residents rely on irrigation-recharged groundwater for From the 1960s through today, the MBMG has conducted statewide coal resource assessments and coal avail- domestic water. Reduced aquifer recharge as a consequence of more effi cient irrigation will impact groundwater ability studies to determine the distribution, quantity, and quality of mineable reserves. Our most recent coal as- supplies and, in some locations, basefl ow to streams. The MBMG is working with federal, state and local partners to sessment in north-central Montana added nearly 10 billion tons of newly identifi ed coal to Montana’s demonstrated investigate geologic controls on irrigation recharge and to develop recommendations for pivot siting that protect reserve base. recharge to domestic wells. The MBMG maintains coal stratigraphic and coal chemistry databases that are available to the public. These data were critical for the 2015 USGS assessment of coal resources and reserves in the Powder River Basin; they are currently being used for a new assessment of coal resources in the Williston Basin of eastern Montana. As the coal industry continues to move toward “clean coal” solutions, these data and research are vital to those developing and testing new coal power technologies and to those who make energy and land-use policy decisions.

Flood application of irrigation water is common in Big Horn Sprinkler irrigation in Big Horn County. County.

Recent related publication: Meredith, E., and Blais, N., in review, Quantifying irrigation recharge sources using groundwater modeling. Agricultural Water Management.

Our Partners and Collaborators The MBMG works with Federal, State and local partners in almost every research eﬀ ort to ensure we meet the research needs of eastern Montanans. A “shovel” digging coal at Western Energy’s Rosebud Mine near Colstrip, MT.

Subsurface Geologic Mapping

The MBMG has actively mapped and studied surface geology for decades. However, knowledge of the geology below ground can be just as important as our knowledge of surface geology. Subsurface geologic maps are critical for understanding geologic hazards such as faults, identifying targets for waste-water injection, managing and protecting groundwater aquifers, and exploring for petroleum and other resources. The MBMG is pursuing a multi-year subsurface mapping project to generate digital maps depicting structure (spatial positioning and shape) and properties (e.g., thickness, porosity) of subsurface geologic units. Digital maps are easily imported into a wide range of software applications for visualization, grid manipulation, and constructing 3D models.

3D visualization of Eagle Formation structure, eastern Montana. 14 19 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 EASTERN MONTANA PROJECTS Elm Coulee Field (Bakken) Reservoir Model Elm Coulee fi eld in Richland County has produced nearly 200 million barrels of oil from the Bakken Formation Billings Offi ce since the early 2000s, yet each well produces only about 10% of the oil in place. We must rely on enhanced oil The Billings Offi ce of the Montana Bureau of recovery (EOR) processes that inject gas or fl uids into the reservoir to mobilize and recover additional oil reserves. Mines and Geology was established in 1967 to inven- Because Bakken geology is complex, it is not clear how these enhanced recovery techniques will perform in an tory coal resources and investigate development- unconventional reservoir like Elm Coulee fi eld. associated impacts to water resources. Since that The MBMG and Montana Tech worked together to create a geologic/reservoir model of Elm Coulee fi eld (funded time, the focus of research and activities of the by the Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation) and are using it to simulate the fi eld’s behavior and performance Billings Offi ce staff have expanded to include sub- under varying EOR conditions. Reservoir simulations suggest that an additional 20% of original oil in place may be surface geological mapping, hydrocarbon reservoir recoverable using natural gas fl ooding at Elm Coulee. Over the past year, the scope of the study has expanded characterization, monitoring groundwater around to include an area to the northeast of Elm Coulee that has diff erent geological characteristics and higher water energy development including coal, gas, and oil, and production during primary recovery. Understanding reservoir behavior prior to onset of EOR will improve reservoir regional studies specifi c to the semi-arid, agricultural management, increase ultimate oil recovery, and extend the life of Elm Coulee fi eld and Bakken wells outside of Elm settings of eastern Montana. Coulee fi eld. Groundwater and Energy The MBMG has measured and interpreted groundwater responses to coal mining since the late 1960s. This work was extended into the coalbed-methane fi elds (CBM; a form of natural gas The Billings staff moved to a new offi ce in 2014, at 101 Grand Avenue. in coalbeds) when CBM production was introduced to southeastern Montana in 1999. Over the past 15 years, the wide swings in development activities in oil fi elds and the introduction of new drilling and completion methods caused a rise in citizen concerns about impacts to their water resources. In response, the MT DNRC and the MT DEQ, in cooperation with the MBMG and others, sampled baseline water quality in areas of oil development. Sampling locations included a combination of well-owner requests for sampling and scientifi cally selected sites.

Recent related publications: Meredith, E., and Kuzara, S., 2018, Water resource sampling in areas of oil and gas development: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Open-File Report 702. Meredith, E., Brown, A., and Bierbach, S., 2017, Groundwater sampling around oil and gas development: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Information Pamphlet 10. Kuzara, S., Bierbach, S., and Meredith, E., 2017, 2016 Annual coalbed methane regional groundwater monitoring report: Powder River Basin, Montana: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Open-File Report 694.

This map of “oil saturation” shows the variation in the Bakken properties in and around Elm Coulee ﬁ eld. Cooler colors (purple, blue) indicate greater volumes of oil in place, while hotter colors (red, orange, yellow), such as the area northeast of Elm Coulee, are prone to higher water production. Oil development near the Medicine Lake Wildlife Refuge in Sheridan County.

South of Broadus, along the Powder River near Moorhead, the yellow sandstone layers, dark gray coalbeds and lighter gray shale units of the Fort Union Formation are capped by Holocene clinker, making a colorful mosaic. 18 15 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Biennial Report 2016-2018 • A Petroleum Engineering student completed a senior design project: “An investigation of the fl uorite deposit found at DATA PRESERVATION AND MINING ARCHIVES the Crystal Mountain Mine in Ravalli County, Montana” based on the John W. Taber Collection. Summary • A Geological Sciences graduate student used preserved mining maps, documents, and specimens for his senior project: “Geochemistry, mineralogy, and stable isotopes of the Heddleston porphyry deposit, Montana”. The Data Preservation and Mining Archive program continued to rescue and preserve historical mining and geology information and convert it to digital media, increasing its access and use by public and private users from Montana and throughout the country. Public users accessed the Mining Archives webpage more than 30,000 times, Research Supported by Data Preservation about 1,300 times a month; more than 2,000 users accessed the online database for 27,000 queries. The online • An industrial minerals company used white marble specimens from the building stone collection to determine the presence has certainly increased public awareness of its preservation eff orts, which led to acquisition of several source of white calcium carbonate. new collections. Development of more sophisticated digital processing and online archival information availability increased its demand from government agencies, consulting fi rms, private geologists, and the public. • The MBMG loaned slabs of talc from Montana and numerous other localities to a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Idaho. Grants • An architect designing restoration of the Deer Lodge County Court House in Anaconda, Montana needed to fi nd the USGS National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP) grant funding supported the source for the sandstone used to construct the building. A thin section of sandstone from the courthouse was compared following data rescue and preservation of data eff orts: to specimens in the MBMG collection to determine its origin in Columbus, Montana. • The MBMG acquired the John W. Taber collection in September 2016. The collection contains 186 trays of mine core • The MBMG loaned sapphires with exsolved rutile from the support-data collection for the sapphire project to a samples and geologic, engineering, assay, operational, and production information for the Crystal Mountain Mine located researcher at the Gemological Institute of America conducting research on high fi eld strength elements in sapphires. in Ravalli County, Montana. Staff scanned and restored 10,584 documents (25,439 total pages). • The Montana Natural History Center (MNHC) and the Ice Age Floods Institute–Glacial Lake Missoula Chapter (IAFI-GLM) Selected Recent Projects transferred its J.T. Pardee collection to the MBMG in 2017. Joseph T. Pardee was a geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey who authored several landmark publications related to geology in Montana. The collection contains 29 boxes of Pardee • Marion K. Jones collection: Working papers compiled by Marion “Kay” Jones, throughout his career. Mr. Jones was a family papers, diaries, documents, photos, negatives artifacts, early fi eld maps, aerial photos with map overlays, and report consulting geologist from Billings, Montana. To date, staff scanned 886 oil and gas-related maps and digitally restored and drafts. published 300. • Dwight Juras project: Scanned 28 mining maps and 54 Archival fi les (containing 254 document pages) pertaining Agency Collaboration to properties located in Beaverhead County, Montana. Used by consulting geologist in geologic and mineral potential Staff created digital map claim outlines, and prospect, evaluation. mine, and shaft locations, underground mine workings, and • Brandon Fitzgerald project: Scanned 28 mining maps and documents from 5 Archival fi les for properties located in oil and gas well location overlays on Google Earth, originally Madison County, Montana; research for new geologic and mineral potential evaluations. to help track map processing progress. The overlays’ use evolved into the creation of transparent Google Earth • Benbow Mine project: Staff located rare mining maps and their supplemental documentation for Kelly Ragsdale, overlays (Kmz fi les) provided to several public agencies to great grandson of T.C. Benbow, who developed the Benbow Mine. The mine is part of the Stillwater Complex located in assist them with ongoing projects: Stillwater County, Montana. • Butte-Silver Bow (BSB) Government—provided transparent • Joseph Kuzara Collection: The collection includes coal, oil, and gas-related maps and reports for eastern Montana. mining claim and feature overlays to assist the BSB Reclamation Specialist to identify possible property subsidence problems; Archival staff provide updated Kmz fi les as they scan additional historic claim maps. Staff plotted 1,242 shafts, 717 claim outlines, and created 325 kmz map overlays depicting these features. • Montana Department of Transportation—provided a Kmz fi le showing claims and underground workings underlying an I-90 section presently being re-constructed. • Montana Department of Environmental Quality—provided a Kmz overlay depicting claim outlines and underground mine working representations of areas adjacent to a Butte-Silver Bow An example of a Google Earth overlay. property where a 30-ft sinkhole appeared. New Donations The MBMG accepted donations of 13 Montana-related historical mining and geophysical collections. The donations vary in size and include reports, maps, specimens, and drill core received from mining companies, other state surveys, universities, and geologists from throughout the U.S.

Direct Support of Education A restored map of underground In addition to employment and training, the program provides opportunities for students to integrate their work mines and claims in Butte used with education: to create a Kmz overlay. • Professional and Technical Communication Program students created a series of Photoshop tutorials that trained newly hired student employees in advanced digital restoration skills and developed “GeoWrite: A Digitial Field Notebook.” 16 17