Biohazard Cleanup Near Elgin Green River, UT

Green River is a city in Emery County, Utah, on the banks of the Green River, a major tributary of the Colorado River.

It had a population of 847 in the 2020 census, living in 327 households.

The city was incorporated in 1906 and named for the Green River.

The settlement began as a river crossing for the U.S. mail, and in 1876 Mr. Blake set up a ferry and way station on the east side of the river.

The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad arrived in 1883, turning the town into a boom town and a fueling and watering stop, and the Palmer House hotel became the scheduled meal stop for trains from both directions.

The west side of the river became known as 'Greenriver' and the east side as 'Elgin,' a name still sometimes used for the east side today.

Uranium mining played a significant role in Green River's economy through the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

The U.S. Air Force built the Green River Launch Complex outside the city in 1964 and launched 141 Athena missiles from it between 1964 and 1973 as part of research to improve nuclear missiles.

Green River is famous for its melons, sold during the growing season, and it holds an annual Melon Days Festival.

Amtrak's California Zephyr stops daily at Green River station on its route between Chicago and Emeryville, California.