The sand and gravel that makes concrete of which Spokane is built comes from mining these deposits in the Spokane valley. Several large gravel pits provide this important resource for the community.
During the mining operation, the pits are dug to a depth that goes below the water table surface of the aquifer. As a result, the pits naturally flood with ground water from the aquifer.
What might be some possible concerns with this activity in regard to
aquifer protection?
Oblique aerial view of the gravel pit at Park Road (north to right)
- that's the I-90 and Broadway interchange on the right. This mining
operation has recently begun to utilize an electric dredge to minimize
the potential contamination of the ground water in the pit.
View of the Sullivan Road gravel pit, showing aquifer surface.
View to northeast.
Sullivan Road gravel pit, showing crusher and conveyor belt on working
floor of pit. View to east.
Sullivan Road gravel pit showing crude bedding in east wall of pit.
Note coarse-grained texture of the deposits that fill the Spokane valley
in this area (about 600 feet in total thickness).
