17 Million Tons of Waste Moved From Colorado River

For decades, millions of tons of uranium mill tailings, a radioactive sand-like waste, posed an environmental challenge near the Colorado River in Moab, Utah. The U.S. Department of Energy began a massive cleanup operation in 2009, transporting this waste by rail to an engineered disposal cell at Crescent Junction, about 30 miles away. As of September 2026, an impressive 17 million tons have been relocated, marking a critical milestone. This extensive logistical undertaking involved excavating, loading, transporting, and safely containing the material. The proximity of the original tailings pile to the Colorado River, a crucial water source for the Southwest, made this cleanup especially vital. While the removal of the surface pile is a major achievement, the project is not yet complete. Future phases will focus on groundwater compliance, managing contaminated soil beneath the original site, and final restoration, including regrading and revegetation. The disposal cell at Crescent Junction is designed for long-term containment, with a carefully engineered cover to manage moisture and prevent contamination. This multi-decade effort underscores the complexity of environmental remediation, prioritizing worker safety, community protection, and the long-term ecological health of the region.