Travertine Hot Springs

Travertine Hot Springs
Travertine Hot Springs
Location	near Bridgeport, Mono County, California
Coordinates	38°14′44″N 119°12′19″W / 38.245483°N 119.205383°W / 38.245483; -119.205383
Elevation	6,700 feet
Type	geothermal spring
Temperature	180°F

Travertine Hot Springs are a group of geothermal mineral springs located near the town of Bridgeport, California.

Geography

Travertine Hot Springs are located two miles Southeast of Bridgeport, California on several sizeable travertine terraces, overlooking views of the High Sierra mountains.^[2] Volunteers have built a series of primitive rock pools and wood-and-concrete enclosures to contain the water, and to control temperature by diverting the flow through stepped channels.^[2] The springs are located on California State Park land.^[3]

Geology

According to David Risley, a geologist with the U.S. Forest Service, the hot springs gets its name from the build-up of calcium carbonate (a form of limestone) that forms the mineral terraces. In the mid-1890s, 60 tons of travertine was mined from the site to build the interior facings of San Francisco City Hall, and other buildings.^[1]

History

For hundreds of years the hot mineral springs were used by local indigenous people and later, early settlers. According to archaeological records, Paleo-Indians used thermal springs in the American west for 10,000 years, based on evidence of human use and settlements. Hot springs provided warmth, healing mineral water, and cleansing.^[4] Later, the Paiute people used the hot springs.^[1]

In the early 1900s, the first wood-lined pool for dipping sheep was built; some of the wooden planks currently at the site are the original boards.^[2]

Water profile

The hot mineral water emerges from several geothermal fissures in the ground at 180°F (82°C) and are cooled to 115°–156°F as they progress through the travertine terraces.^[5] Due to underground movement caused local and regional earthquakes, the temperature fluctuates.^[2]

References

^ a b c Bartell, John (16 April 2019). "The sad story behind the Travertine Hot Springs Instagram hotspot". ABC-10. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
^ a b c d Gersh-Young, Marjorie (2010). Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest. Santa Cruz, California: Aqua Therma Press. p. 164. ISBN 978-1890880095.
^ "California's Eastern Sierra: Hot Springs". Monocounty.org. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
^ "A History of Geothermal Energy in America". U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
^ Berry, George W.; Grim, Paul J.; Ikelman, Joy A. (1980). Thermal Springs List for the United States. Boulder, Coloratdo: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 12.

External links