// Risk Intelligence
| Risk Score | 8 / 10 High |
| Facility Type | ⚠ Superfund / Contamination Site |
| Operator / Branch | Atlantic Richfield / EPA |
| Host County | Silver Bow County MT |
| Nearest City | Pepperell MA |
| Primary Risk Radius | 5 miles |
| Secondary Risk Radius | 25 miles |
// Strategic Significance
The Berkeley Pit in Butte Montana is an open-pit copper mine filled with 40 billion gallons of toxic water containing arsenic lead cadmium zinc and sulfuric acid. In 1995 a flock of 342 snow geese landed on the pit and died within days. The water level rises 1 foot per month and if it reaches the critical water table level it will contaminate the regional groundwater for the Clark Fork River basin.
// Civilian Impact Assessment
Butte and Silver Bow County residents face the ongoing threat of Berkeley Pit water breaching the critical water table. The Clark Fork River downstream has already suffered serious contamination. Butte is already one of the largest Superfund sites in the US.
// Evacuation & Shelter Guidance
Silver Bow County residents should follow EPA and Montana DEQ guidance on Berkeley Pit water level monitoring and Clark Fork River use.