10 Interesting Facts About Washington State’s Hanford Nuclear Site
Here Are 10 Interesting Facts About The Hanford Nuclear Site
If you grew up in the Tri-Cities area, you might already know all the facts there is to know about the Hanford Nuclear site outside of Richland Washington but there might be a few facts that you might not know about.
I was able to take the Reactor B tour years ago and it was an amazing look back at a time when the world was at war.
It's amazing that scientists and everyone involved with the atomic bomb devised the weapon in only 18 months and it was out a necessity to hopefully prevent more loss of life and end a deadly war that might have gone the other way if it wasn't for the Manhattan Project.
Here is some background on the Hanford Nuclear Site:
The Hanford Nuclear Site is a decommissioned nuclear production complex located in southeastern Washington State, United States. It was established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project, a top-secret government program to develop atomic bombs during World War II.
The site was chosen for its remote location, abundant water supply from the nearby Columbia River, and availability of cheap hydroelectric power.
Over the years, the site grew to include nine nuclear reactors and various other facilities used for the production of plutonium for nuclear weapons.
However, the production process also generated a large amount of nuclear waste, which was stored on-site in underground tanks.
Over time, many of these tanks leaked, contaminating the soil and groundwater in the surrounding area.
In 1989, the US Department of Energy began a massive cleanup effort of the site, known as the Hanford Site Environmental Cleanup.
The project involves the decontamination and demolition of many of the old facilities, as well as the stabilization and disposal of nuclear waste.
The cleanup effort is ongoing and is expected to continue for many years.
10 interesting facts about Washington State's Hanford Nuclear Site
As you can see, there are a lot of interesting facts about Hanford and those that lived here at the dawn of the atomic age.
Tri-Cities in the end played a small part in the worldwide kickstart to the atomic age thanks to the Hanford Nuclear site. You can read more facts and details about the site here.
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