21 ACRES IN NORTHEAST WASHINGTON COUNTY
The Richwoods Site encompasses an area of approximately 45 square miles in the northeastern portion of Washington County, Missouri. It primarily includes residential areas within and around the community of Richwoods and is a portion of the larger Washington County Lead Mining District. Continuous lead mining began in Washington County in 1721 at the surface and near-surface (ten feet or less below ground surface (bgs)) in an area north of Potosi. Galena, the main lead ore, was mined in both the red clay residuum, which generally ranged from a few feet to over 30 feet thick, and the underlying dolomite bedrock. Barite (barium sulfate), another local mineral, became valuable after the Civil War and barite mining began to boom in the area in 1926. Most of the barite was mined from the residuum. Remnants of mining activities throughout the area include strip mines, mineshafts, mine dumps, tailing areas, tailings ponds, and associated dams. There are several large tailings impoundments, associated dams, and leachate ponds with elevated levels of lead present at the site.
116 |
People living within a 1 mile radius |
$43,144 |
Average Income |
37 |
Occupied homes |
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