In December of 2000 the Willow Creek Reclamation Committee (WCRC) began underground investigations of the Amethyst Vein Complex, accessed through the Commodore 5 Level Tunnel, in the hopes of determining the source and hopefully a solution for the metal laden discharge at the Nelson Tunnel portal. The Amethyst Vein Complex encompasses the Nelson/Wooster/Humphries Tunnel, Amethyst Mine, Happy Thought Mine, Park Regent Mine, Commodore Mine and the Last Chance Mine. All of these mines are located along the Amethyst vein system, which is a north-south trending fault that is heavily mineralized. The Nelson/Wooster/Humphries Tunnel, which will be referred to as the Nelson Tunnel for convenience, appears to be the single largest discharge point to the surface for all water entering the Amethyst Vein Complex. The Nelson Tunnel drains into Willow Creek approximately ½ mile above the confluence with East Willow Creek. As shown by ongoing water quality characterizations of Willow Creek by the WCRC, the Nelson Tunnel drainage, averaging 250 gpm, remains the single largest heavy metals contributor to the watershed.

The Nelson Tunnel and Commodore 5 Tunnel were driven by competing mining interests to gain access to the rich silver deposits along the Amethyst Vein Complex. Eventually the Nelson Tunnel became the drainage tunnel for all subsurface water entering the mine workings. The Nelson Tunnel is located approximately 40 feet lower in elevation than the Commodore 5 tunnel at their respective entrances. Approximately 3 miles north of the entrances, the two mine entries converge near the Park Regent shaft. There are several intermediate connections including the Daylight Corner Winze, Javelin Shaft (winze), Berkshire Shaft (winze), Commodore Shaft (winze), No Name Winze, Last Chance Shaft, Amethyst Shaft, Del Monte Raise, Berkshire Shaft (winze), Happy Thought Shaft and Hospital Decline.

Because of the large cost to treat the mine drainage, the WCRC decided to investigate whether the source of the mine drainage can be intercepted before it enters the mine workings and/or whether the metals concentrations can be reduced through source controls.

During 2004 the WCRC initiated the process of pursuing the possibility of source controls on the Nelson Tunnel drainage with the Nelson Dewatering Pilot Project. If the pilot is successful, and the necessary funding for full dewatering is found, then the WCRC will be able to implement full dewatering in hopes of solving the Nelson water source. The source of water creating the Nelson drainage and its entry point into the mine remain the missing link in understanding and hopefully implementing a successful source control.

In 2005 work on the dewatering project will hopefully be funded and implemented. Additionally, the mine workings should be monitored for any maintenance and safety needs. Water levels should continue to be taken periodically to further establish long-term water trends within the mine. Water quality sampling within the mine should not be a priority unless new discreet inflows are discovered. Finally, additional work at the Commodore Mine should address the Nelson Portal flume and portal collapse, to ensure accurate flow measurements and alleviate portal blowout concerns. This coming year could prove to be an exciting time of discovery and progress within the Commodore Mine Complex.

Please look at our 2003 Underground Report for past water quality data and work, and our 2004 Underground Report for recent information and maps.