Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

The Klondike Quarry is located near the eastern end of a 45 mile belt outcropping of St. Peter Sandstone that roughly parallels the Missouri River. Within the park, at an approximate thickness of 100 feet, the St. Peter Sandstone lies about 85 feet below what was ground level. The sandstone processing began in this area, also known as the top of the stripping level.

Through a contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the tailings, or leftover rock, were placed as riprap on the Missouri River. Once the contract was canceled, the tailings were dumped on the east and west side of the quarry. Those tailing piles can still be found within the park today. Some of the rock was used in the construction of the park.

There is still evidence of the quarry history in Klondike Park. The lake, which was formed from the quarrying operation, is surrounded by the bluffs with exposed layers of rock. Likewise, leftover silica sand can be found throughout the park.

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