Alvord Hot Springs

Alvord Hot Springs
Algae matts in drainage area
Map
LocationHarney County, Oregon
Coordinates42°32′39″N 118°32′02″W / 42.54417°N 118.53389°W / 42.54417; -118.53389[1]
Elevation4,078 feet (1,243 m)[1]
TypeNatural hot spring
Temperature174 °F (79 °C)
Alvord Hot Springs is located in Oregon
Alvord Hot Springs
Location in Oregon

Alvord Hot Springs is a geothermal spring located in Harney County in southeastern Oregon in the United States.

Geography

The spring lies at 4,078 feet (1,243 m) elevation on the western edge of the Alvord Desert into which the spring flows and eventually evaporates. To the west of the springs lies Steens Mountain, a north-south running range with a peak of 9,738 ft (2,968 m) above sea level.

Soaking pools

The source averages 174 °F (79 °C), but a system of pipes cools and regulates the flow of incoming water so that the pool temperature is maintained about 105 °F (44 °C). The spring smells somewhat of sulfur, yet not enough to dissuade visitors from soaking in one of two small, man-made rectangular concrete soaking pools, which are 3 feet (1 m) deep and either 25 by 50 feet (7.5 x 15 m)[2] or 10 by 20 (3 x 6 m).[3][4] The soaking pools have a covered, as well as an open portion, the covered portion being rustic in its corrugated sheet metal and wood construction.[2]

The thermal springs from the Alvord Basin discharge sodium-bicarbonate-chloride-type water with a significant proportion of sulfate.[5]

Public access

Though they are on private property, before 2013, the use of the hot springs was free and open to the public year-round.[6] In early 2013 the property owners (the Alvord Ranch) installed a full-time caretaker in a trailer and started construction of a parking-lot and a small building which will house a store. Access to the hot springs are no longer free.[citation needed] Maintenance is volunteered by local residents and all visitors are encouraged to help keep the springs clean.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alvord Hot Springs
  2. ^ a b c "Alvord Hot Springs". Trails.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  3. ^ "Alvord Hot Springs". Hot Springs of the World. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  4. ^ Kaysing, Bill; Kaysing, Ruth (1993). Great Hot Springs of the West (4th edition). Santa Barbara: Capra Press. p. 51. ISBN 0-88496-382-9.
  5. ^ Koski, A.K.; Wood, S.A. (2004). The geochemistry of geothermal waters in the Alvord Basin, southeastern Oregon (PDF). Proceedings: International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction 11. pp. 149–152. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Eastern Oregon Online, a PCC student geologic project. "Alvord Hot Springs". Retrieved 2007-05-22.
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