Nevada Test Site

Click on the map to see information about that area NTS Area Map - Where is: Central Nevada Test Area & Project Shoal site ? Area 13 ? Area 21 ? Area 24 ? Area 28 ? Area 51 ?

Area 15 — This Reserved Zone area occupies 96 km2 (37 mi2) at the northeast corner of the NTS, and no atmospheric tests were conducted at this location. However, between early 1962 to mid-1966, three underground nuclear tests were carried out in Area 15.

Two major complexes are located in Area 15, the Hardhat/Piledriver site and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Farm Complex, both of which are now closed.

Preceded by the Earlier Hardhat event, the Piledriver experiment in a granite rock formation was one of the most complex and expensive DOD underground nuclear tests.

The purpose of these tests was to investigate the simulated effects of a nuclear surface detonation on a deeply buried, superhard command and control center in a granite rock formation. The purpose of this mid- 1966 test was to investigate the simulated effects of a nuclear surface detonation on a deeply buried, superhard command and control center. The test involved special sandwich-type sections designed to remain structurally intact at the anticipated stress levels of such a detonation

From 1978 to 1983, DOE conducted the "Spent Fuel Test-Climax," in a separate mined drift at the Hardhat/Piledriver site, approximately 467 meters (1400 feet) underground. The purpose of this study was to learn more about how granite would react to heat and radiation from spent nuclear fuel. In the test, the spent fuel was sealed in protective conisters and lowered underground. An underground emplacement vehicle then put the canisters in lined test holes. All equipment used to handle the canisters was operated by remote control.The canisters were stored in the Climax granite stock for three years, then removed and repackaged at the E-MAD facility in Area 25 prior to shipment to DOE's Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, near Idaho Falls.

As part of the nation’s long-range health and safety program, an experimental 36 -acre dairy farm was developed and operated in Area 15 between 1965 and 1981. The purpose of this extensive research program was to study the passage of airborne radionuclides through the soil-forage-cow-milk-food chain.Construction of the farm began in 1964 in Area 15 of the Nevada Test Site. The land was cleared of desert vegetation, a 5,400-foot water well was rehabilitated, a one-million-gallon reservoir was built, and the first crops were planted.

During the next two years, dairy facilities were added: several large open paddocks, individual shaded stalls, and a combination milking barn/main laboratory building.

Extensive plant and soil studies evaluated the uptake of pollutants in farm-grown vegetables and forage the diary herd of some 30 Holstein cows. Scientists also studied horses, pigs, goats, and chickens.

EPA also managed a herd of 100 Hereford beef cattle. Four of the animals gained fame as "fistulated steers" (animals with surgical openings in their sides). The steers were part of a special research project and served as biological samplers of the forage consumed by the rest of the herd as it ranged over the northeast corner of the Test Site.

Also, animals were fed plutonium loaded capsules to study the metabolism of the material in cows. The facilities included irrigated crop land, an irrigation reservoir, and typical strutures required for a Grade A dairy farm. These facilities were also used for autopsy studies of animals that grazed on the test site

Total number of Nuclear Tests 3 and Detonations 3 as having occured in Area 15, according to United States Nuclear Tests July 1945 through September 1992 DOE/NV--209-REV 15 December 2000 which may view here, but the document only lists the following tests as having occured in Area 15, other are tests are listed by hole or shaft number and am still working on updating this list