Baranof Warm Springs (thermal mineral springs)

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Baranof Warm Springs
Baranof Warm Springs, Alaska (700034286).jpg
Baranof Warm Springs (thermal mineral springs)
LocationSitka, Alaska
Coordinates 57°5′6″N134°50′20.4″W / 57.08500°N 134.839000°W / 57.08500; -134.839000
Type Geothermal
Temperature124°F/51°C

Baranof Warm Springs are a series of ten geothermal mineral springs located in the small community of Baranof Warm Springs 20 miles east of Sitka, Alaska on Baranof Island. [1] The springs are surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. [2] Access to the hot springs is by boat only, no road or air service is available to Baranof Island. There is a free public bathhouse on the island in addition to primitive undeveloped hot springs. [3]

Contents

History

The springs were originally used by the Tlingit of Angoon. Settlers later discovered the springs in 1891. [4]

Geography and geology

The springs are located on the north side of the Baronof River approximately 500 feet downstream from the Baranof Lake inlet. The springs flow from deposits of gravel, silt and quartz diorite boulder and bedrock. [5]

Water profile

The hot mineral water emerges from the ground at a temperature of 124 °F/51 °C. [6] The water composition is sodium carbonate type, with large proportions of silica. [5] The sulphurous hot mineral water flows from the source into several rock-lined soaking pools where it is cooled to between 108 °F and 110 °F. There are also three wooden roofed rooms supplied with the hot spring water. [2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Baranof Warm Springs". Alaska.org. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Gersh, Marjorie; Loam, Jason (2008). Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Northwest. Santa Cruz, CA: Aqua Thermal Access. ISBN   9781890880088 . Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  3. ↑ Pfeiffer, Nancy (January 24, 2023). "Winter in Warm Springs Bay". Alaska Magazine (January 2023). Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  4. ↑ Kirchoff, M. J. (1990). Baranof Island: An Illustrated History. Juneau: Alaska Cedar Press. ISBN   0-9624904-0-7.
  5. 1 2 Soward, Kenneth S. "Geologic Investigations of Proposed Powersites at Baranof and Carbon Lakes Baranof Island, Alaska" (PDF). USGS,gov. USGS. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  6. ↑ Berry, George W.; Grim, Paul J.; Ikelman, Joy A. (1980). Thermal Springs List for the United States. Boulder, Colorado: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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