(Photo courtesy of Donald Bills - U.S. Geological Survey)

The former Pigeon Mine in northern Arizona is seen here looking towards the northeast.

A new study from the U.S. Geological Survey shows uranium in Pigeon Spring, north of the Grand Canyon, is likely not related to a nearby mine. The research is part of a larger effort to understand the impacts of uranium mining in the region.

Kimberly Beisner, lead author of the study, tested the chemistry of the water in Pigeon Spring, and found it did not match the waste material at a nearby inactive mine.

In addition, she said, “the water in the area is moving toward the northwest and Pigeon Spring is located due east of Pigeon Mine. So there’s likely a natural source contributing the elevated uranium to Pigeon Spring.”

Pigeon Spring contains at least four times as much uranium as any other spring in the area. The levels have increased since the first data were gathered in the 1980s. 

Beisner said scientists need to study these springs to inform land management decisions. The Grand Canyon region is currently under a 20-year ban of new uranium mines.