Sidney, NE: Former Sioux Army Depot

Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) Program

Published April 9, 2015
The Sioux Ordnance Depot Fire and Guard Headquarters was built in 1942. The purpose of the building was to provide a center of operations for the depot security force and fire department. The building housed equipment essential for surveillance of sensitive areas within the depot perimeter. It also provided facilities for monitoring depot fire control. In an effort to conserve critical war materials the building was constructed of wood, concrete, brick, gypsum board, and cement asbestos. Metal components were used only in the building's mechanical systems and assembly fasteners. The building remains on its original site, and retains both structural and historic integrity.

The Sioux Ordnance Depot Fire and Guard Headquarters was built in 1942. The purpose of the building was to provide a center of operations for the depot security force and fire department. The building housed equipment essential for surveillance of sensitive areas within the depot perimeter. It also provided facilities for monitoring depot fire control. In an effort to conserve critical war materials the building was constructed of wood, concrete, brick, gypsum board, and cement asbestos. Metal components were used only in the building's mechanical systems and assembly fasteners. The building remains on its original site, and retains both structural and historic integrity.

Location and Description: The former Sioux Army Depot located west of Sidney, Neb., encompassed approximately 20,000

acres and operated from 1942 to 1967. The purpose of the installation was to receive, store, and issue Army ammunition, ammunition components, and general military supplies.

Possible site contaminants include unexploded ordnance and components; Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste; and explosives-residue contaminated soil and groundwater. The depot was constructed in four main areas:

(1) the administration area – administration building, dispensary, fire and guard houses, mess hall, and 74 main barracks;

(2) the utilities area – carpenter shop, lumber storage yard, machine shops, garages, storehouses, boiler houses, power generating plant, underground and above ground fuel and water storage tanks, locomotive maintenance buildings, and sewage treatment plants;

(3) the combat equipment storage area – numerous warehouses and loading platforms; and

(4) the magazine and ammunition service area – above ground magazines, inspectors’ workshops, ammunition workshop area, bundle ammunition packing buildings, ammunition packing buildings, receiving and shipping buildings, and classification rail yards.

Problem and Response: The widespread contamination, both ordnance and explosives and HTRW, on this 20,000-acre property limit the quick study and completion of the remediation. To accomplish the project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proceeding with both the investigations and remediation by subdividing the site into smaller pieces.