Why are quarries full of water?


Why are quarries full of water? Quarries are prone to flooding because they are sometimes dug below the water table. Toxic materials could seep into groundwater if an abandoned quarry's water reaches an area's water table. This is the concern surrounding the Berkeley Pit, a former copper quarry near Butte, Montana.


What happens to quarries that are abandoned?

Abandoned quarries rarely leave enough soil to allow life to return to the area. Some abandoned quarries can fill with water, creating artificial lakes. Many of these lakes are clear and deep, creating a safe swimming environment for people and some aquatic animals, such as frogs and birds.