Latest study shows 16 years of clean water downstream from SURF
The annual report on the water quality in Gold Run Creek, downstream from the SURF wastewater treatment plant discharge, shows excellent results.
The latest report in 16 years of annual studies on the health of the aquatic ecosystem in the creek downstream from the water discharge at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) shows the facility’s release of treated water improves habitat for downstream aquatic life.
“As in the previous 15 years of monitoring, 2024 aquatic biomonitoring showed that Gold Run Creek downstream from SURF’s Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge supports more robust aquatic communities than upstream of the discharge,” said Bonita Goode, environmental manager at SURF. “The data collected over the study period indicate that the continuous discharge of water benefits populations of small aquatic animals that live on the bottom of the creek, as well as communities of algae, bacteria, and fungi that attach to submerged surfaces.”
SURF occupies the site that was once the deepest gold mine in North America. Mining does not take place on the site today, rather, SURF’s mission is dedicated to the advancement of world-class science, engineering, and education.
The vast network of tunnels that make up America’s Underground Lab continually fills with water that percolates in from the surface and underground sources. To keep the underground lab space dry, SURF constantly pumps water from the depths. This water contains concentrations of iron and other naturally occurring contaminants that must be removed before it is released into Gold Run Creek.
SURF operates an onsite wastewater treatment plant to clean the water that is pumped from the underground. Plant operators are on duty 365 days a year to conduct daily water testing for contaminants like ammonia and total suspended solids. SURF also treats water from the legacy Grizzly Gulch tailings impoundment, which is still owned by the former mining company. SURF treats between 500 and 1,500 gallons of water per minute including a mix of the underground and tailings impoundment water.
This aerial shot shows the Wastewater Treatment Plant at SURF. This facility has treated more than 10 billion gallons of water during many years of operation, leaving clean water and a healthy downstream ecosystem.
Photo by Stephen Kenny
“Those of us who work at SURF also live or recreate in the same downstream communities this water flows through. Clean water is imperative for us all, and we are proud of the ongoing record of protecting and improving these waterways for future generations,” said Mike Headley, executive director of the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority and laboratory director at SURF.
Headley points out that one of SURF’s core values is protection of the environment, and the facility is committed to preserving water quality in the Black Hills in the decades to come. Wastewater treatment and monitoring of the discharged water will be needed at SURF for as long as the facility is operational and dewatering the underground laboratory space.
Those interested can read the entire report, published in March 2025, here.
