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Water buildup in mine drainage tunnel threatens Leadville

The Associated Press
Aspen, CO Colorado

LEADVILLE, Colo. ” Water in a mine drainage tunnel is building pressure and could blow out, leaving officials worrying that it could cause catastrophic damage to the historic mining town of Leadville and contaminate the Arkansas River.

State, federal and county officials will have a conference call at 11 a.m. Thursday to determine how to deal with the millions of gallons of water in the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel.

Ground seepage from increased snow levels is adding more pressure on the blockage, said Polly White of the Colorado Division of Emergency Management.



The tunnel is believed to have become blocked years ago by a partial collapse.