What is the latest status of the project “Heavy Water Nuclear Reactor at Argonne”?

The status recorded for “Heavy Water Nuclear Reactor at Argonne” is completed.

Where can I verify the source and access all details for “Heavy Water Nuclear Reactor at Argonne”?

This Taiyo project page references National Security Archive along with the original URL (https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/nuclear-vault/2024-08-08/manhattan-project-directors-files-illuminate-early-history). Taiyo standardizes official data into a consistent, searchable project profile.

Heavy Water Nuclear Reactor at Argonne

Sector: Government • Location: Argonne, Illinois, United States

Source: National Security Archive

Project

Completed

A heavy water nuclear reactor was deployed at Argonne, Illinois, as part of the Manhattan Project to support plutonium production research and development. This reactor was intended as an experimental tool and a backup in case the graphite-moderated reactors at Hanford encountered problems. The reactor became operational by June 1944.

Status: Closed
Sector: Government, Water Supply and Storage, Nuclear
Location: Argonne, Illinois, United States of America
Updated: 22 Jul 2026
Source: National Security Archive

ConstructChat

Ask ConstructChat about Heavy Water Nuclear Reactor at Argonne

Pick a question to edit it, or write your own.

First answer free · no account

I am a

Project Information

3 Q

The project “Heavy Water Nuclear Reactor at Argonne” is an infrastructure initiative in the Government sector, located in Argonne, Illinois, United States. Taiyo aggregates data on it from National Security Archive.

Participants

Not available for this record.

Status

Original status	completed
Taiyo status	Closed
Taiyo last update	2026-07-22

Contact

Not available for this record.

Description

Description	A heavy water nuclear reactor was deployed at Argonne, Illinois, as part of the Manhattan Project to support plutonium production research and development. This reactor was intended as an experimental tool and a backup in case the graphite-moderated reactors at Hanford encountered problems. The reactor became operational by June 1944.
Original sector	Energy

Location

Country	United States of America (USA)
State	Illinois
City	Argonne

Source

Source	National Security Archive
URL

More Details

Record type	Project
Sector	Government, Water Supply and Storage, Nuclear
Article published date	2026-05-07

Research

Free account

View all details

You are reading the public part. A free account opens the rest:

Every detail on this project
News and media coverage
Technical research

View all details

Free account · no card · lands you back on this project

Heavy Water Nuclear Reactor at Argonne

Ask ConstructChat about Heavy Water Nuclear Reactor at Argonne

Project Information FAQ

Project Information

Research

View all details

More Government projects in United States