1. Please name the 7 compositions of the water in Kidney
Springs. How and where do you think these compositions came from?
What does this tell us of the geology in the area?
2. What is the Total Solid content, and how does this influence the
appearance of the water and fauna at the Spring and the nearby Fall
River?
3. Along a footpath near Kidney Springs (N 43° 26.016 W103° 28.819)
is a spring-fed waterfall. Look up at the cliffs and describe what
you see. How might these geological features be affecting the way
that water passes through this mineral spring?
General Information:
This Earthcache is a natural occurring geothermal mineral spring
located in the town of Hot Springs, SD. Hot Springs is located in
southwest South Dakota along the southern slope of the Black Hills.
The town was built in the late 1800's along the banks of Fall River
at the mouth of Hot Brook and Cold Brook rivers.
Kidney Springs is one of 170 geothermal mineral springs along the
Fall River valley. The name is derived from having the ability to
cure kidney conditions due to it's mineral content. In the past,
water had been bottled from this spring as an aid to treat kidney
disease and other medical conditions. A sign at the springs reads
“Useful in the treatment of chronic diseases of the
gastro-intestinal tract, diseases of the liver and biliary
passages, disorders of the gento-urinary tract and in sluggish
condition of the alimentary tract.” At the springs there is a
Gazebo which was built in 1920. The gazebo and the springs are open
to the public. Some residents still swear by it’s healing
powers due to the mineral content and fill up bottles at the spring
for drinking and cooking. Kidney Springs remains a constant
temperature of 83 degrees year around.
The History:
Before European settlers arrived the Sioux and Cheyenne Indian
tribes utilized the springs for it’s spiritual and healing
properties. Both the Sioux and Cheyenne claimed possession of this
natural river of warm water springs that flows here. Local legend
tells of a fierce battle that raged on the east summit above the
springs and river now called Battle Mountain, with the Sioux
emerging victorious. The city of Hot Springs was first called
Minnekahta in the Lakota Sioux language, which meant “hot
water”, and later changed to the English translation of the
Indian word in1882.
In the spring of 1876, Colonel W. J. Thornby arrived at the present
site of Hot Springs and discovered the source of the warm creek. In
1890 Evan’s Plunge was built at that very same site and named
after it’s builder “Fred Evans” and still exists
today. Originally, Evans Plunge and other mineral baths in Hot
Springs were sought as a cure-all for a multitude of illnesses
typical of other natural hot springs in the United States. In the
early 1900’s several hotels and bath houses were built along
the fall river valley and enjoyed much success. But in the
1950’s the geothermal industry faced its demise. A
combination of the lack of interest and the belief in the
therapeutic use of mineral waters, and corrosion and scaling of
pipelines, ended the usage of the springs by the public. However,
Evan’s Plunge is still utilized to this day and is a
recreational pool and mineral spa. Evan’s is located 7 blocks
north of Kidney Springs.
The Geology:
Hot springs, or thermal springs, are most commonly created from
water trickling through layers of rocks, accumulating minerals and
heating up from the pressure of the earth. If it encounters a fault
line, it is thrust back up to the surface, bringing the minerals
and heat with it. Often, bacteria from deep within the earth is
brought up with the springs, which changes the environment. The
beautiful color of the water is due to the bacteria and organisms
living in the water.
The thermal springs in the Hot Springs area are actually considered
warm springs as their temperature varies between 82-92 degrees
Fahrenheit year around. In general, the temperature of rocks within
the earth increases with depth. The rate of temperature increase
with depth is known as the geothermal gradient. If water percolates
deeply enough into the crust, it will be heated as it comes into
contact with hot rocks. The water from a hot spring in a
non-volcanic area is heated in this manner. However, in volcanic
areas such as Yellowstone National Park the water may be coming
into contact with magma and becoming superheated.
The thermal springs along the Fall River are located in an area
typified by intensely faulted and folded limestone, shale, dolomite
and sandstone of that has produced many of the high canyon ridges
in the area. These sedimentary rocks can be seen along the cliff
faces that run along the Fall River valley. The Hot Springs area is
comprised of Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks
caused by the Tertiary mountain-building episode that was
responsible for the Black Hills uplift billions of years ago.
Under the new Earthcache guidelines as of 1/1/11, photographs
are not required to log the Earthcache. However, I do enjoy looking
at photographs, so they are optional.