Meet the Toxic Sand Vacuum | Torch Lake, Michigan

100 years ago, people started sucking toxic sand out of a lake. They weren't trying to clean up the environment, but they WERE on a quest to find copper - and it went shockingly well. Here's how they pulled it off, and the rusty legacy they left behind.
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Music:
"Already There" by Josh Woodward. Free download: joshwoodward.com
Key Sources on the Torch Lake Dredge, its engineering, stamp sand, copper flotation/reclamation chemistry, and copper mining in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula:
books.google.com/books?id=ER8...
www.michigan.gov/documents/de...
www.michiganseagrant.org/wp-c...
chemistry.elmhurst.edu/vchembo...
Historical Photos: www.loc.gov/pictures/item/mi0...

[@keithrheault5110]

My wife's grandfather operated that dredge. He also ran a boat that had a air pump hooked to a diver who cleaned the intake pipe at Calumet water works.

[@WarPigstheHun]

I wonder what it was like, working underwater, at the bottom of the lake...

[@lukecole8320]

Absolutely incredible working conditions I bet!

[@deandee8082]

oh yea, well my grandfather was inmate of the month at san quentin's death row!

[@SECONDQUEST]

Horrifying

[@bold810]

My friend's dad was a dredge operator on the Sacramento/San Pablo bay, my grandfather, a WW1 vet worked as an engineer at Kaiser shipbuilding near Mare Island during WW2. He helped build the ship his Son, my Dad, shipped out in the Pacific theater on , in 1944. Ms. Alexis, thank you for your time. 🎉

[@AlexisDahl]

A couple small corrections, courtesy of the good folks of the Keweenaw! - Pronunciation correction: I misread "Hecla" as "Helca" just about every time I looked at the word, so I transposed two of the letters. - At 4:51, the reclamation plan ruins are... well, clear in the opposite direction that I'm gesturing. The map I used could have been better! Thanks to everyone who helps keep me as accurate as possible! Being able to hire a fact-checker is high on my goals list.

[@Fishbonethedog]

As a Michigander and former MTU student, it makes me happy seeing The Dredge again. Its a haunt for many students and while not the safest, was always an interesting climb. While the environmental impact may not be the best and the situation is definitely complicated, it definitely has a communal aspect to it for at minimum a lot of students of the area.

[@Xinuka]

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ durRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR IMMMA ROBOTTTT

[@boywhohasl1vedhascometodie469]

It the lake was toxic to begin with, idk. Idk how this would be impacting the environment if it was already like that to begin with.

[@dezznutz3743]

The environmental impact at this point is extremely minimal. She is just another KZbinr with limited insight.

[@cartmanrlsusall]

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ no thanks sin is awesome

[@papadave3084]

@dezz nutz Limited insight? Okay, then, do you care to impart your vast knowledge to the rest of us regarding the environmental impact this dredging operation has had over the years? Just a hunch, but I suspect Alexis has done more research on this matter than you. However, I could be wrong, and you may be a chemist or perhaps a historian who knows quite a bit about the Michigan copper industry. Please enlighten us. ~Cheers from Michigan

[@orionthestars1459]

I'm blown away you don't have more subscribers. You have an amazing personality, and have a great story telling voice. Glad I stumbled upon this video.

[@aaronring4704]

Not the Michigan Torch Lake I was expecting when I clicked on the video, but the story completely tracks for that part of Michigan! Well worth the watch!

[@j.r.3215]

Me either, I spent a lot of time in Alden as my Aunt and Uncle owned the Lumber yards in the area. I would help them out when I was not flying.

[@auntbeth448]

Same here! Grew up on Torch Lake..between Elk Rapids and Eastport...miss the lake terribly...

[@phillipgarrow2297]

I thought the same thing I didn't know there was a torch lake in the UP

[@charlesscott1493]

Mining engineer here. Nice job on the video. By the early 1900s, with copper flotation it was pretty easy to get 80% or more recovery of the copper so the dredging and reprocessing of the stamp sands would have been economically viable and ecologically beneficial. Your presentation of flotation was particularly good. We need people with your skills in our industry.

[@andrewhallock2548]

I found my way here from Tom Scott's newsletter. I'm glad I did. I lived in the lower peninsula of Michigan growing up and had no idea how the copper mining up north worked. Thank you for helping me learn more!

[@AlexisDahl]

Hey, thanks so much! I really appreciate that. I also grew up in the lower peninsula, and have been learning so much since I moved up to the UP. Thanks for learning along with me!

[@darkmann12]

Newsletter squad!

[@Sivah_Akash]

Also came here from the newsletter. I lived in Ann Arbor for the past two years and have always wanted to visit UP, but unfortunately was unable to.

[@stonecoldaustin6282]

There's something else you can learn that we have gold all over the state of Michigan. A lot more on the lake Superior shorts. But there's gold

[@thesquirrel905]

Who is Tom Scott?? Is he like a local there that is up on all the knowledge of the lake.

[@gemista]

Wow! I live in Houghton, a five minute drive south from there and it is downright trippy that somebody mentioned the Keweenaw, no less my neighborhood! It's great to hear somebody talking about the rich history of the Copper Country.

[@trainnerd3029]

I’ve been to your neck of woods an insane amount of times but only in the winter… Next summer, the wife and I are going up there with our camper!

[@greg227]

Alexis, My grandfather worked for Quick from 1907 to ~1963 when he retired. Visiting him was a thrill because he was a wealth of information, and shared with me a lot of info at my very young age until he had a stroke. He had a number good friends who work there before mining operations stopped, they would drop in after he passed in 1972. I learned a lot from them about the processes and one of them arranged for me to talk to people at the Quincy office in town where i was handed a bunch of boxes of material relating to the mining operation. While I learned as much as I could, life got in the way of continuing any research and MTU had received most of the Information from Quincy. One of the things I learned about was the use of a few chemicals in metal recovery, one of them was mercury (I don't remember how it was used) but the waste was dumped in Torch Lake and the Canal. I remember visiting where they had large pans that would be heated with tailings and stamp sand in them using mercury mixed in with other chemicals (this was shut down by the time I saw it). Another was Arsenic which was used in a slurry made of tailings in drums which after recovery of copper the used mixture was also dumped into the lakes. So you know, they knew exactly how the process you describe worked. It was figured out before the recovery started, there were a number of chemists who worked on reclamation of copper and silver (a lot of silver came out of the mines up there) and recovery was talked about in the journals before 1905.

[@thedude_-__-_7528]

Wow! 56 years he worked at the same company. I'm just trying to imagine myself working for the same place for that long.

[@missingremote4388]

Back then a dollar was worth a dollar

[@somethingsomething404]

@@thedude_-__-_7528 everyone used to work for 1 company for their whole career. Not so much now

[@seldoon_nemar]

They figured out a working process, but could not explain *why* it worked. Also, Mercury and arsnic were super common in gold processing as well, because mercury sticks to and absorbs gold, so they would just pour it into their sluice boxes, which were just fed by diverted streams and such... People still find the gold/mercury amalgum in waterways to this day

[@carlinshowalter1806]

@@thedude_-__-_7528 My father set the record at 47 years at the Cessna Aircraft hydraulic plant he worked at. The only job I remember him having. He's 83 years old now.

[@HappiestGirl69]

I lived in Lake Linden in my twenties, even though I’m a troll 😅, and drove by that dredge every single day for a few years without knowing its story. I also never set foot on torch lake because of its reputation for being filthy and polluted. I love it up there so much and it makes me so sad when I’m up there seeing the mess that mining left behind! Thanks for sharing the story!

[@Hankitect]

Wow! I never knew Michigan had two Torch Lakes. I spent summers at Torch Lake in Bellaire, in the norther lower peninsula. This is a neat surprise and piece of trivia I can share with my family in the Les Chenaux Islands in the U.P. I bet they too, know little to nothing about this Torch Lake. Thanks for the video.

[@auntbeth448]

Same here! Grew up on the west shore of (LP) Torch halfway up from Elk Rapids...miss the lake - we used to go to Bellaire for the movies! :-)

[@user-dn4iv2ne6r]

You might note that the reprocessed sand was then deposited back in the lake, Sands from the Isle Royale Mine were dumped in Portage lake just east of the MTU campus. The Copper Range Company retrieved sands from Portage Lake west of Houghton and carted them to Freda on Lake Superior via the Copper Range Railroad for reprocessing. I believe that operation concluded about 1966. The Freda mill was scrapped along with the Freda branch of the COPR and the railroad entered into near retirement until it was abandoned about 1972.

[@entropynetwork]

Hi Alexa. I am a metallurgist in the Great Lakes region. This video significantly increased my understanding of the local Superfund challenges and of hydrometallurgy overall. Thank you!

[@ryanthescion]

I’ve explored this thing more times than I can remember, never knew about the copper flotation and reclamation. Thanks for doing all of this research and putting together such wonderful videos! I am incredibly thankful to finally learn about so many of the things that have been in my life for so long. Also your animations were absolutely impeccable :D

[@AlexisDahl]

Absolutely! Thanks for enjoying this! ☺️ (Also, thanks for the kind words about the animations, too! Making them was a big learning experience!)

[@onrr1726]

Most metals are reclaimed in the same manners. I used to work for a company that made the filter presses and screens equipment for such processing. When the mining sector died in the Northeast we moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma and hung on for another 10 years till all U.S. operations were moved to Poland and Germany.

[@scottnunya1]

What did the dredge use for power? Steam?...

[@SabbaticusRex]

@@scottnunya1 The souls of local children . On a brighter note the three local orphanages are no longer in operation thanks to this rusty nightmare beast .

[@evalinawarne1337]

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ I have this scripture underlined in my BIBLE. KJV.

[@kathyu4953]

to clarify my comment, the mining company mentioned was Calumet and “HEC-la,” not “HEL-ca.” Also “Torch Lake, Michigan” is a town in lower Michigan. Torch Lake in this video is simply a lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan bordered by several small towns.

[@billbradleymusic]

That's a huge difference in location.

[@michaelmaas5544]

I live on Torch lake in the LP and saw this video title and picture I was like WTH I’ve never seen this anywhere on the lake lol

[@michaelmaas5544]

@@clarkdavis3588 I grew up in Elk Rapids and know the area and it’s history quite well

[@michaelmaas5544]

@@clarkdavis3588 There was a lot of iron processing places in the area years ago and East Jordan Iron works is still cranking out manhole covers, they built a new place about 10 years ago. We had a lot of snow last weekend but it’s all gone now and if the forecast holds true we’re not going to see anymore in the next few weeks.

[@johnmarker1748]

@@michaelmaas5544 East Jordan Iron Works started production at new facility Dec of 2018.

[@livinginthelight4002]

Lived in Hubble as a kid, my dad works in the Quincy Copper mine until it closed. We then moved to Ontonagon where I later worked in the White Pine Copper Mine until it closed. Many families followed the mines over the years as they one by one shut down.

[@FlatEarthFighter]

I've driven past that monstrosity so many times delivering gas and fuel to Lake Linden and have always wondered what it was used for, you did a terrific job of explaining this thing

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@gummo3873]

the earth isn't flat it's shaped like a hotdog 🌭 🙄

[@RandomDays906]

So crazy to see someone talk about something I live less than 10 miles away from! If you ever end up visiting again, consider a video on the 1913 Miner's strike, which includes a disaster that Woodie Guthrie wrote a song about, called "1913 Massacre".

[@AlexisDahl]

Oh, man! No way! That's too cool. I'm actually working on a mini-series about the Quincy Mine right now but had no idea about the Woodie Guthrie song. I'll have to check it out!

[@forrestunderwood3174]

I agree. I was going to recommend the Italian Hall disaster, which I just figured out is also called the 1913 Massacre.

[@objuan6]

I used to ride bicycle in that area, 60s, early 70s, before fences, EPAs. Lots of great explore. You, are ExploreodoraExtraOrdinaire, and have been Detectifying up a storm! Bravo!

[@DjD5]

My grandfather, Juno (Waino) Turin was mine inspector in Ontonagon County for over 15 years, appointed by Governor Millikan in 1969. White Pine was the only active mine, but there were over 100 inactive mines in Ontonagon county. He had to check all the inactive mines every year. He was a consultant to the DNR on problems of unprotected mine shafts.

[@JREwing78]

25 years ago, it was possible to go inside the dredge and look around. Not particularly safe (or legal) to do so then, but it was really cool to look at. When the EPA superfund restoration work took place to stabilize the stamp sand and minimize further runoff into Torch Lake, fencing was put up that closed off access to it. I would love to see KNHP attempt to preserve it as it helps tell the story of the mining operations there.

[@ILiketoBreakStuff]

You can still get on it lol. The fence even has openings to allow foot traffic.

[@yvesleroux9313]

And who will finance that?

[@djfitzgerald111]

IIRC, the largest copper "nugget" ever found, came from one of the areas mines.

[@dean4069]

@@djfitzgerald111 my buddy and I found a two thousand pound bolder of copper metal detecting around copper harbor a couple summers ago.

[@JGrogann]

Just to clear up confusion, there is a torch lake in the lower peninsula of Michigan in addition to the torch lake in the upper peninsula.

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

I'm from NE MN and drove past the dredge while visiting a friend in Eagle Harbor last summer. Like the UP, northeastern Minnesota has gone through several changes, first mining high grade iron ore until it was depleted. We then began mining lower and lower grades of ore. We too use ball and rod mills to liberate the ore from the ore-bearing rock. Your presentation was lively, fact-packed, and fun. Thanks so much for sharing your time, talents and enthusiasm.

[@semperfi6801]

Alexis, I think KZbin suggested your site because I've watched many videos on heavy equipment machinery and its multitude of uses. The typical guy that likes big toys type of mentality. I'm so happy KZbin brought me to your site. Your love of what you do, your extremely happy and glowing personality, and, more importantly, the level of passion you display in your videos are addictive. I will subscribe and look forward to viewing some of the many videos you've posted. Please continue making us smarter and brightening our days with your glowing personality. Thanks again and my best to you and your family.

[@logdog8920]

Thats another amazing story about your UP copper mining history. Back in the 1980's my father worked on a more modern dedge. They were stationed on the Mississippi River, and usually worked on sediment removal in private harbors, but sometimes worked in conjunction with the US ARMY Core of Engineers, to remove sediment in the main river channel to help with the "Tow Boat" traffic.

[@tomhenkel2311]

If you really want to dig into the history of the Keweenaw and copper mining. read "From Cradle to Grave" by Larry Lankton. It covers the social and industrial life in the district. It's one of my favorite books and a pleasurable read. Amazon has it. I'm just an average history nerd.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Tom! That sounds fascinating. I'll genuinely add it to my reading list!

[@moron95M3]

And he's a great instructor of a Keweenaw history class if you're lucky! (not sure he's still doing it, 2010 alum here)

[@btbenedi]

@@moron95M3 I believe Lankton has retired and earned his duly deserved Professor Emeritus title, he's still heavily involved with the Archives AFAIK, I believe Bill Gale started teaching SS3541 (Copper Country history) more recently. '12 alum here

[@bixfrisbee2623]

I've climbed all over and inside the Quincy Dredge numerous times as I was a student at Michigan Technological University which is nearby and that's what many Tech students did and likely still do. In fact one year, my entire fraternity sat on the snorkel and got our picture taken. I'm glad it's not been cut up for scrap because it's really interesting to drive by (it's visible from the road) and see it's listing sunken hulk sitting there.

[@redraiderrider3289]

Everybody knows Michigan tech is "nearby". Why did you feel the need to share that?

[@warriyorcat]

Everybody in Michigan, sure, but there are plenty of non-Michiganders watching who might appreciate the comment.

[@agjakku]

KZbin recommended me this, and it was such a well-made, interesting video! I'm gonna watch all of your others and subscribe, thanks for doing what you do!

[@AlexisDahl]

Hey, welcome! Thanks so much for the kind words - that's so encouraging! I appreciate you being here!

[@tiyenin]

Tom Scott recommended this video specifically, and the channel generally, in his very recently public newsletter. I'm glad he did, this was a fascinating story. Are there any plans by the local government or a non-profit fighting to at long last dismantle the equipment?

[@raysiddiqi8]

LP Torch Lake is known as the Caribbean of Michigan due to it's crystal clear waters, what a difference between the two torch lakes!

[@cavan620]

Caribbean of the Midwest but yeah it’s awesome

[@copperheadh1052]

@@cavan620 Nah, that area is the North, has nothing to do with the Midwest. If you above Iowa, you in the freaking NORTH. In the real Midwest, we also have crystal clear waters in South MO and AR. Great diving and fishing. No copper dredging just limestone mining.

[@williamyoung3340]

Yeah, that's what caught my eye. I saw Torch Lake Michigan and said wow, I've been there. Quickly realized there are at least 2 torch lakes.

[@lawrencetchen]

This was my first thought too! "I don't ever recall seeing something like that in or near LP Torch Lake..."

[@ArthurTheLibraryDetective]

​@@cavan620 😎...🙏..sorry im dumb!..you mean Lower Penninsula Mich.has a Torch Lake w Caribbean Crystal Clear water. ??🙂 Thanks for responding.💞

[@Davey101_]

I'm glad this was in a newsletter... I enjoy stuff on history, old engineering and waterways so this video was just right and entertaining too.

[@AlexisDahl]

Oh, amazing! That's such a good match. I'm glad you enjoyed this one!

[@redspy6018]

That machine looked like a blender 3d modeled artwork in a way that I can't explain, and the emotion it induces is closest to nostalgia, even though I only took up 3d modeling around November last year.

[@AlexisDahl]

Ooh, I didn't think about it that way, but you're totally right. (Also, that's super cool you got into 3D modeling! That's a world of mystery to me but sounds like a blast. Out of curiosity, how did you start learning more about modeling?)

[@trolltaker]

So exciting! Both my uncle and my father worked in the Quincy reclamation plant. My uncle lived in one of the tiny company houses there, with his wife and 3 children. My father only worked there for a brief time, somewhere around maybe 1963 or so. He brought me to work one day and gave me a tour of the place and told me how it worked, and you were right-on! He showed me the ball mills (and the big iron balls that did the crushing). He told me about the pine oil (the entire building smelled of it) and the flotation tanks. There were also huge shaker tables, as I recall. I love those dredges (I say "those" because I remember when both of them were visible). I see it as history, not junk. I guess everything goes through a junk phase before it becomes history if manages to survive. BTW, you will also find dredges like those up in Alaska.

[@subliminal6211]

The area behind you at 4:51 contains two stamp mill buildings, a coal dock and coal silo, a boiler building (no longer standing) and a smoke stack. The reclamation plant was behind Mason just across from Forseman rd.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you for this information! It looks like my source for where the reclamation plant was wasn't the best. I just pinned a comment with corrections to the top of this section!

[@daleschroeder232]

My family and I have vacationed in the upper peninsula of Michigan since before I was born. I'm 71 now, so I've seen some of this stuff in action and in decay over the years. Your vLog is the best, simplest explanation of this process I've ever heard. Thanks for such a concise, on site explanation. A couple of years after the dredge was abandoned we were able access it and go into it while snowmobiling. Because of the angle it sits at it was like being in an amusement park fun house.

[@RoxnDox]

Another example of why you are rapidly moving up to be one of my favorite KZbinrs. Really interesting subjects, solid research, great presentation skills, bubbly enthusiasm, and such a beautiful smile!

[@addcooley906]

I am currently writing a paper about Torch Lake and why it's considered a "Great Lakes Area of Concern". You helped to clear a lot of things up, much appreciated!

[@rileypaine4106]

I was just recommended to check out your channel and am so happy with what I have found, it looks like you have done really great work and I can't wait to watch this channel take off!

[@AlexisDahl]

Aw, thank you! I really appreciate that. I'm glad you stopped by!

[@kaiwaara]

Should checkout all the old foundations and cemetery on Cliff Drive in Keweenaw County. Eerie as can be

[@AlexisDahl]

Oh, wow. I'll have to check it out next time I'm up there! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@TheWoodsyintroverts]

That’s on my bucket list. We live here in the Keweenaw but have not been there yet. 🙋‍♀️💜

[@mcheles3301]

Every dredge I have worked on has sunk at least once. Dredges are normally held together with a patchwork of half cooked repairs because the company cant afford to have the dredge not pumping.

[@carlmcdaniels1675]

Apparently there are TWO (2) "Torch Lakes" in Michigan. One in the Upper Peninsula (UP) & one in the Lower Peninsula (LP) in Antrim County near Traverse City. (Nearest Towns are Kewadin & Elk Rapids). The one in question here is the one in the UP.

[@csnide6702]

yup --- was confused by that as well..... good thing cute Alexis was here to get us informed....... 😍

[@elfless8435]

I put this on my “must see” list on my trip to the Keewanaw in early May based on this video. I’ve learned and explored so much about that area based on your awesome videos. Can’t wait to go back and explore more stuff!

[@AlexisDahl]

Oh, man, that's amazing! Thanks so much for this note! 🥳☺

[@suzuki06g]

As a Lower peninsula resident I found this to be really interesting, well done! You should do more videos like this, stick with Michigan or beyond, I'd watch them. ☺👍

[@markfortin421]

Being a life-long Michigander...(75 yrs)...when I happened upon this doc, I had to watch it, and glad I did! Very nicely presented and you did your homework so it was smooth and interesting. FYI...The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village in Dearborn Michigan has a restored Quincy & Torch Lake locomotive on its tourist railroad, which is running around the village 9 months of the year. Very nice, well maintained railroad... Thanks Again!

[@juligrlee556]

My sister who at the time lived in Crystal Falls took me fishing at a nearby lake. It looked shallow and sandy near the remote parking area. She told me that all the area was off limits because there was a bunch of area below the water and shore that were likely to collapse exactly the way they collapsed years ago trapping and killing all the miners. There was a very swift stream nearby. I walked alongside the shoreline thinking that if it collapsed, I could swim pretty good and would just swim to the top. I had a very old fishing pole my sister loaned me. I dropped into the swift stream/river and immediately caught a monster Northern Pike. I took it back to where my sister was sitting in her wheelchair to prove to her that I had actually caught something. I then turned the monster loose into the lake. I didn't feel like cleaning fish to cook for supper like I often did when I was a teenager. I sure did experience problems however. I picked up numerous ticks and got bit numerous times by mosquitos. A long time ago, if my sister and I were fishing together we would jump into the water to hide from the mosquitos and search our legs for ticks. We didn't know any other way. Nonetheless, I still wonder how much of the UP has mine shafts below lakes and streams that are subject to collapse. In some ways I feel like its like walking in a field of hidden land mines from some past wars. I've often thought of moving to the Copper Harbor area but you gotta wonder if prior generations left so much environmental damage that it will never be fixable in many generations. I grew up "down below", no not hell, but on a small lake with a river that dumped into Lake Michigan. There are no residential areas along the lakefront. There is almost no access to the lake itself. The lake is surrounded by a wide variety of heavy industries. I swam in that lake daily each summer because I lived less than 200 yards from the water. That are was originally used as a dump for a Iron Foundry. Now the lake is a hundred or more yards further from where I used to live. The pollution, the nails, the iron waste has gradually been expanding the land. Where I used to climb a tree there is now all kinds of small businesses and Department of Natural Resources offices that has fenced off the many acres where I used to fish, swim, search for small wildlife and reptiles and all the cattails I used to play with are gone. So too are the habitat for many species of butterflies. Why do we keep destroying mother nature's gifts? Why do we keep polluting mother's natural beauty? Why are the resources our children once had fenced off? Gone now is the big field on the water's edge where the circus could set up tents. Gone is the sandlot baseball field. Gone is the little space where my mother and I played catch at dawn on most summer days. In my opinion, we should never allow permanent industrial operations near any waterfront if that industrial operation could just as well have been built along a highway a long way away from the beautiful gifts of Mother Nature. In my opinion, all gifts of Mother Nature should never be fenced off. I humans have polluted these areas, humans must clean them up and make them safe. I'm very thankful for your video today. I think no one should leave industrial machinery wasting away on the shore of Torch lake or other lakes. Who profited from abandoning this machinery?

[@raulleal3652]

I'm so glad I found another channel like this. Will definitely binge watch your older videos later.

[@IstasPumaNevada]

I know, right? Such a good find, and insta-subscribed.

[@AlexisDahl]

Aw, thanks! I appreciate you being here. :)

[@DanPlusWater]

Great video. Good job with the history. Nice to see more KZbin members taking interest in things connected to our numerous bodies of water in my home state of Michigan.

[@rand49er]

That was a fun video. Thanks. Reminds me that people prior to about 1970 used to abuse the environment mercilessly by discarding anything they didn't want anymore into lakes, rivers, etc. They had no thought that it might be harmful for a long, long time. Fortunately, we have much greater awareness now, and we're getting better all the time.

[@frankdrake8928]

I have a few older pics from when you could enter the Carp mine, go up to the wall that the ladder is leaning against in your video, and peek over the edge.

[@Milwanaw]

Might be interesting to do a video on the petroglyphs off of Mandan road. Not much is known about them or their authenticity, but either way they are neat.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks for the suggestion! I've been thinking about that recently - I might have to find an expert to help me out with that one!

[@robertcolpitts4534]

Interesting video! That is an old placer (pronounced "PLA-cer" with a short "a") gold dredge repurposed to copper tailings recovery. Ball mills and copper-flotation circuits are still used world-wide to process low-grade copper ores. I imagine there is still quite a bit of copper left in the lake sand that could be recovered and repurposed. The ultimate sustainable recycling project you might say!

[@roblake4599]

Your enthusiasm for the dredge is contagious. Amazing video!

[@paulesterline5714]

I worked on a dredge way back when.... it was an interesting job. We were not dredging copper, but it was used to pull waste out of a resavor at an auto manufacturer plant.

[@randallwoodruff2108]

Great video! I frequently find myself researching old and or abandoned industrial sites which mostly confuses other people. It was really great to see you dig into all the details!

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Randall! And ha, I hear you about the confusion. It's cool that you're into that sort of research, though! Are there any particular sites that have really fascinated you?

[@randallwoodruff2108]

@@AlexisDahl Yes! I had some business in an industrial area and thought the road layout was very odd, with a lot roads dead ending in ways that made little sense. I look at the satellite imagery from Google maps and saw evidence of what I thought were extensive abandoned roads. I shared this with one of my friends and they figured out it was the former site of the Nixon Niter works and then the Raritan arsenal. (the roads were actually train tracks) The site could still have munitions, is private property and has some important infrastructure onsite so I sadly will not go in on foot. Still a neat place though! For reference the site is dead south of the Raritan Convention Center is Edison NJ. We have A LOT of interesting industrial sites here.

[@jerryglazman260]

Interesting video as always. Just so you know the pine oil copper flotation process is still in use here in Arizona (copper capital of the US) and you can see it (and smell it) at work at the Mission open pit mine tour south of Tucson.

[@Nobody_Yuno]

there's copper ore that's nearly 100% copper on that island in Michigan. Its usually contaminated with silver. I know a guy that found a 3200 pound nugget about ten years ago. It was sticking out of the ground.

[@Oduunich]

That's a very different Torch Lake in Michigan than I expected. The more known (famous people live on it) Torch is between Bellaire & Elk Rapids in Antrim County. Used to live nearby so was very confused when this popped up in my Recommended. 😂

[@bradgotschall3259]

Great video. So much interesting history in Michigan UP. One of our favorite getaway areas. We visited Quincy mine in 2000. They gave an explanation that while the huge “nuggets” of copper were found in the mine and certainly impressive, it was more cost effective and easier to go after the copper in the “sand” as it was easier to bring out and process. Also mentioned declining prices following WWII as well as cheaper foreign imports as being the demise of the mine. Regardless that mine and others of its ilk have played a large role in our Industrial Revolution and history. Most older American homes probably have at least a trace or more of MI copper in their wiring and appliances. Thanks for posting 👍😊

[@toddfarthing8760]

I can't believe how interesting this turned out to be, great presentation. Very educational. I like your style.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Todd! I very much appreciate that.

[@LadyYoop]

This is incredible. Thank you....and yeah, it's HECK-la. But this is just so fascinating! WOW!

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank YOU! I appreciate you stopping by. (And ha ha, every time I see some mention of Calumet & Hecla now, the mispronunciation haunts me. But hey, it's burned into my brain the right way now!)

[@matheme7atica]

I am a Yooper and I love these videos! I've learned so much about the history up here in the UP, thank you for the excellent content!!!

[@jasondk5127]

Thanks for the Michigan history lesson!

[@yooperheart1]

Girl!!! Thank you for being interested in history that is still being created .... daily! ❣💝❣👍👍👍👍

[@AlexisDahl]

Aw, thanks, Ingrid! I really appreciate that!

[@Shawn4168]

Great video! Love the energy, and your editing is excellent. And as an Ohioan, it's wonderful to discover a channel like this that focuses on science and history in the midwest.

[@AlexisDahl]

Hey, thanks so much! I really appreciate that. (I've been thinking a lot about editing/pacing in particular lately!) And totally! The Midwest has so many great stories.

[@juliusreiner5733]

I’m in Chicago and really want to road trip to Keweenaw

[@AlexisDahl]

I hope you get the opportunity to! I know I've only scratched the surface with that area - if you ever plan a trip, the Keweenaw Visitors Bureau has some incredible recommendations!

[@erbewayne6868]

Get on US 41 and go north.

[@generybarczyk6993]

"... as he stomped through the mud. But Paul Bunyan had a hole in his pocket, and his pennies fell out and into the puddles left in his bootprints. Babe, his blue ox, following along behind, ground the pennies into tiny pieces with his hooves. And that's how these lakes became EPA Superfund sites."

[@AlexisDahl]

Ha ha, oh, man. I was not expecting the last line, but it completely cracked me up.

[@Kousha]

Even though is dangerous, I feel almost an urge to climb on it and explore around hahaha xD

[@AlexisDahl]

Ha ha, well, you definitely wouldn't be the first! I've seen all sorts of pictures of people on it... and inside of it! I opted not to go that route since I'm not sure how stable it actually is, but it definitely seems to be a local activity.

[@forfrogsnacks]

I've been in it numerous times. It's very dangerous in a some spots the floor boards are barely holding themselves up but still very cool experience. It can get weird though. After a while it starts to feel like the whole world is tilted 45°.

[@angelserrano4272]

Just discovered this channel, and want to say that you've definitely earned a subscription from me. One of my favorite KZbinrs is Tom Scott, as he educates on really random things that you would never know about unless for his videos. I feel like you'll be another source of random interesting information for me, and I hope millions of other people like and subscribe because of it.

[@papadave3084]

Another nice video, Alexis! I've been a Michigander for 24 years, and I appreciate how you get into the history of the places you visit and research. Quite interesting! ~Cheers from Michigan

[@PendragonDaGreat]

Got bumped here from Tom Scott's weekly email. I love this type of video. Super informative, not trying to be a bit part, and a bit of history I wouldn't have learned otherwise. You definitely earned this sub.

[@AnastasiaCooper]

same, really glad that Tom recommended this!

[@AlexisDahl]

Aw, thank you so much! I really appreciate that. Glad you enjoyed this!

[@rustedoutwrench]

I live like 10miles down the road and have climbed on that dredge so many times

[@josephfuller272]

I was stationed in Dollar Bay, Michigan for almost five years. I saw this dredge hundreds of times and didn't know the story behind it. This is super cool!

[@lungshenli]

I got recommended this video somewhat randomly but hearing a woman named Dahl talk about abandoned mining equipment felt oddly at home to me as the Dahl Corporation and it’s abandoned mining and industrial facilities are a major piece of the world of the Borderlands games, which I have enjoyed for years. Super random connection but thank you regardless.

[@Mark-pp7jy]

The U.P. of Michigan has an endless variety of places to explore, and you can easily see two of the Great Lakes in the span of about an hour. What's incredible to consider, is the documentation that people were mining Copper there, before the time of Christ!

[@BartekSoltys]

What a great video, taking a random topic like copper mining and making it sound so interesting, people often either dumb down the topic to its basics or make it way too hard to understand, you have the perfect mixture of making an informative video that anyone can understand and keeping it fun and engaging with your editing and cool graphics, really glad Tom Scott recommended it, can't wait to see more :)

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Bartek! I really appreciate all of that. :) I think a lot about the risk of oversimplifying or going into too much detail, so I'm glad you enjoyed this one!

[@MrMaddoks]

just stumbled on this video from KZbin's suggestion. Very pleased i did, I thought this was an insightful, well laid out informational video. 10/10!

[@ricklarouche4105]

My daughter attended School in the area, and during a trip we saw this dredge, and wondered it’s story too. Thank you for figuring this thing out, and presenting it! 🎉. By the way if they are still offering the Houghton copper mine tour, it was worth every cent and every minute..😊

[@lildabz]

Very cool video. I find it kind of funny how the EPA came here and had to cover all the stamp sand (or cancer sand as I call it) because it could make people sick, yet the two County Road Commissions throw it all over in the winter. I was happy when the Dollar Bay site ran out of usable sand and instead of using a form of screened sand they moved to the Gay Sands and continue to use it. Calumet and Ripley garages order 5000 yards each for each winter. Also, as a side note, my grandfather worked on the dredge that sank in the middle of the canal. My aunt has a newspaper clipping about that dredge the day it sank and it has a picture of my grandpa "at the controls" in the article.

[@ericpayne9091]

Very well done video, glad I found your channel. Will definitely sub for more cool content! (I also love the paintings you have behind you)

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Eric! I appreciate you stopping by. (Also, thank you! I picked up painting within the last couple of years, and the things I've worked on make a fun background!)

[@BergerMeister76]

I found this video to be interesting and well made. I don't see many videos on KZbin about sights around Michigan (it's where I have lived my entire life). Keep up the good work. 👍👍🤘🤘

[@chrisdahl1172]

Just discovered your channel. Educational and entertaining...a great combination! Our state has some amazing stories. Thanks for sharing.

[@Yooperbuzz1]

It's pronounced Calumet (you got that right) and Hecla (Heck - la).

[@AlexisDahl]

Ahh, that makes way more sense! I must have misread it as "Helca" and got that stuck in my brain. Thanks for correcting me!

[@Killerfuzzybear]

Thank you, I picked up on that too.

[@erbewayne6868]

Calumet vied for the state Capitol back in the 1800's

[@keepontruckinoutlawlife1248]

@@AlexisDahl I live in Michigan never been there I'll have to check it out

[@aromaticsnail]

Thanks for Tom Scott for mentioning your video!! Love how you communicate!! Looking forward to watch more science!!!

[@AlexisDahl]

Aw, thanks so much! I appreciate you stopping by!

[@ender_slayer3]

Learning more about my old home state always makes me happy. Michigan will always be home to me.

[@SkinnyTrails]

I subscribed because you make the internet a better place or thing. Whatever it is, it is better because of you.

[@abramsatwo2515]

And in 2023 you're filming this with a cellphone / camera that has a battery with 80% cobalt. Do a video on cobalt mining pumpkin

[@TaintedMojo]

You spelled lithium wrong

[@donjames2462]

Great video! I spend a lot of time in Houghton with family in the area. The best way to see the the sand dredge is in the winter when it is frozen in the ice. It is like a fun house with the ice level and the tilting machine, it will totally mess with your sense of balance.

[@COMM114]

Good delivery. Nice to see a bubbly face instead of some creep who thinks the Cheeto didn’t lose-Bigly.

[@nathanbasel207]

So simple and elegant you say you don't have a clue

[@jacobrichards8359]

I've literally flown over this a few times in my buddy's plane wondering about this machine. Thanks for the info.

[@SamwiseOutdoors]

It's amazing how much of this same information and history transfers over to the cinnabar mines that I've been exploring over here in Cali. Even the whole "dumping waste rock and tailings into the nearest lake" thing.

[@Rusticden]

In 1972 I lived in Hubbell at the corner of Guck and Duncan . We were on the dredge numerous times and in the many mining buildings in the area. It’s to bad all the railroads and buildings were destroyed, it could have been a fantastic museum . The dredge had recently sunk and inside was a roll top desk with a logbook and paperwork. There was also tools and clothing , like workers went home for the day and never came back. I still have one of the rubber coated iron balls from the ball mill !

[@brianford1346]

One thing about mother nature, it always tends to heal itself. The time of man is a short time in the time of earth.

[@gavendb]

this lady's smile...love it.

[@AdolfAuschwitz79]

This is my first time watching any of your videos. And I must say that you have a very cheerful and friendly contagious personality.

[@davidwrobel8089]

Honestly I think it is impossible for this lady to not smile, informative video from a historical perspective. Well done.

[@jamesstaab6614]

I was really impressed by this video. A great example of how skill can elevate a video. Presentation and energy was great. The informative visual aid was simplistic and effective. Maybe the best was the editing. I feel it was perfect. Bravo, and well done.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that.

[@RandallDibble]

This is a very creative approach to taking Human Interest and melting it to Science Facts ! Thank You.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

[@fartraveler3345]

Keep up the good work and thank you for covering a fascinating part of Michigans history

[@bradballard2538]

There is a "Torch lake" in the lower peninsula as well! Very, very clear water, I believe it's the only other place in the world comparable to the Caribbeans as far as clearity

[@QueenMeego]

I've always drove by this thing on my way to my grandma's house- now I know what it is! Thank you! :D

[@AlexisDahl]

Absolutely! Depending on how long your grandma has been in the area, I bet she might have some better stories about the dredge or the Quincy Mine than I do, too!

[@o.c.smithiii2626]

I stumbled across your channel, this is the first of your content I’ve seen. I enjoyed the story. I’m sold- I’m now a subscriber.