Near Sheridan in Sheridan County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
The Aftermath of Mining
... and the Lasting Impacts
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 20, 2021
1. The Aftermath of Mining Marker
Captions: (center L and R) View of Carney Mine subsidence area prior to reclamation.; Underground fires have always been a problem, as shown in this photo for the early 1900s.;
(upper right) The Kleenburn Recreation Area c. 2001 is shown on the left and during reclamation in 2009 is shown on the right.; (lower right) Kleenburn area c. 2007. Other area AML projects include repairing subsidence, abating underground mine fires and wast coal, closing dangerous mine entrances, reducing dangerous pit highways, and fixing flooded mine pits.
In this vicinity, several historic underground coal fires have been burning for over a century. Such fires state from natural or manmade causes including past mining activities, wildfires, or even through spontaneous combustion. Underground coal fires can pollute the air with toxic gas and smoke emissions, and many emit deadly concentrations of carbon monoxide. These fires can also cause under-ground explosions by igniting methane or other explosive gases.
Kleenburn Recreation Area
In 2009, AML, Sheridan County, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department partnered to reclaim hazardous conditions
this page online
(side-bar on left:)
The Wyoming Abandoned Mine Land Program (AML) works to reclaim areas impact by past mining. Before current mining laws require mine operators to restore the disturbed lands, many miners simply walked away from mines, leaving behind hazards and environmental damage. AML's mission is to mitigate impacts of past mining, alleviate public safety hazards, and repair environmental degradation from abandoned mines of all types.
Erected by Sheridan Community Land Trust and Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Man-Made Features • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 44° 54.329′ N, 107° 0.658′ W. Marker is near Sheridan, Wyoming, in Sheridan County. It is on Kleenburn Road (County Road 106) near
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 20, 2021
2. The Aftermath of Mining Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mining Modernizes (here, next to this marker); Mine Communities Supply Miner's Needs (approx. half a mile away); Working in the Mines (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Black Diamond Trail (approx. 2.4 miles away); The Black Diamonds of Wyoming (approx. 2.4 miles away); Mines Shape a Community (approx. 2.9 miles away); Rock Creek to Montana Stage Line (approx. 6.1 miles away); The Pipe of Peace (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sheridan.
More about this marker. This maker is a part of the Black Diamond Trail of Sheridan County.
Photographed by Wyoming Tales and Trails
3. Coal Tipple, Carneyville, Wyoming
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 7, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
