The 1979 Church Rock Uranium Tailings Spill – An Unrecognized Disaster

In July 1979, the tailings disposal dam at United Nuclear Corporation’s Church Rock Mill breached. The resulting spill released 1100 tons of uranium mill tailings and 94 million gallons of radioactive and acidic wastewater into the Puerco River, becoming the nation’s largest release of radioactive material, by volume, just four months after the notorious Three Mile Island disaster. Surrounding residents of the mill, almost entirely members of the Navajo Nation, have since suffered severe health problems due to exposure to mining and milling wastes in water, soils, and air. On October 28 at 6:00 pm at the Moab Museum, speakers Chris Shuey and Terry Keyanna will come together to tell the story of the Church Rock spill and its aftermath, sharing both scientific research and personal stories of the impact of uranium mining and processing on this community.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Moab Museum