The site is situated in the Arkansas River Valley approximately two miles upstream of Salida, Colorado, and comprises approximately 120 acres. The Arkansas River, bordered by a steep vegetated bluff, flows southeast along the west side of the site and then turns to the east along the south side of the site. An old slag deposit is located 45 vertical feet down the bluff face and runs approximately 1,600 feet along the east side of the Arkansas River bank. The site was proposed to the National Priorities List, but the listing was not finalized. Smeltertown has been divided into three operable units (OUs), which are directly associated with contaminants linked to past industrial practices that occurred at the site.
The central portion of the site has been identified as OU1. It includes contamination from a former lead, copper, silver and gold smelter which operated from 1902 to 1919. During the operations, wastes were deposited in the smelter area or dumped along the banks of the Arkansas River. Ultimately, the site was cleared of all but three structures: two buildings and a 365-foot smokestack. The smokestack was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and is currently an attraction for tourists.
Source: US EPA Region 8 Superfund.
An interesting photo.
[url]http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15330coll21/id/6455/rec/31[/url]