Boat Box Hot Spring

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Boat Box Hot Spring
Elkhorn Hot Spring
Location Custer County, Idaho, United States
Coordinates 44°14′41″N114°53′09″W / 44.2448°N 114.8859°W / 44.2448; -114.8859 Coordinates: 44°14′41″N114°53′09″W / 44.2448°N 114.8859°W / 44.2448; -114.8859 [1]
Elevation6,100 feet (1,900 m) [2]
Type Geothermal
Discharge168 liters per minute
TemperatureSource: 136 °F (58 °C) [3]
Soaking pool: 110 °F (43 °C) [2]

Boat Box Hot Spring, also known as Elkhorn Hot Spring, is a hot spring located along the Salmon River in the Sawtooth National Forest on Idaho State Highway 75, about 3 miles away from the town of Stanley, Idaho. [1] The hot spring is composed of a single metal tub that is fed through a plastic tube built into the riverbank. The spring is named for the historical wooden tub that was used before it was destroyed by annual spring flooding. [4] The average temperature of Boat Box Hot Spring is usually around 110°F (43.33°C). The water is usually not clear, as algae inhabit its waters. [2]

Contents

Location

The hot spring can be accessed between mileposts 192 and 193 on a gravel turnout. [5] Since the spring is on the edge of the highway, visitors only have to travel a short distance over sand and gravel before reaching the hot pool. [6]

The hot spring is open year-round, but has a limited capacity of only three to four people due to its limited size. Visitors do not usually skinny dip, due to its proximity to the highway. [4]

The spring and soaking pool are located at the edge of the Salmon River. The Sawtooth National Forest is visible from the site. Local flora and fauna include subalpine fir, the Engelmann spruce, the Douglas fir, alders, willows, tufted hairgrass, reedgrass, and bluegrass. Local fauna include moose, minks, osprey, spotted sandpiper, sparrows, blackbirds, sockeye salmon, steelhead salmon, rainbow trout, and bull trout. [7]

Water profile

The hot spring water emerges from the source at 136 °F (58 °C) [3] and cools to a temperature of 110 °F (43 °C) in the soaking pool. [2] The spring water contains elevated levels of silicon dioxide (72.6 mg/L), sodium (70.4 mg/L) and bicarbonate (64.7 mg/L). The pH has been measured between 8.2 [8] and 9.4. The discharge rate is 168 liters per minute. [9]

Climate

Though Boat Box Hot Spring is accessible throughout the entire year, heavy snowfall typical in the Rocky Mountains of central Idaho may cause dangerous road conditions, which can impede accessibility to the hot spring.

Climate data for Stanley, Idaho, 1981–2010 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Average high °F (°C)25.8
(−3.4)		32.8
(0.4)		43.3
(6.3)		50.5
(10.3)		60.0
(15.6)		68.6
(20.3)		79.1
(26.2)		78.8
(26.0)		69.4
(20.8)		56.2
(13.4)		37.8
(3.2)		24.4
(−4.2)		52.2
(11.2)
Average low °F (°C)−1.7
(−18.7)		−1.1
(−18.4)		9.8
(−12.3)		19.4
(−7.0)		27.4
(−2.6)		33.1
(0.6)		35.7
(2.1)		33.4
(0.8)		26.4
(−3.1)		20.1
(−6.6)		10.8
(−11.8)		−1.8
(−18.8)		17.6
(−8.0)
Average precipitation inches (mm)1.28
(33)		1.44
(37)		1.18
(30)		1.01
(26)		0.91
(23)		0.87
(22)		0.47
(12)		0.40
(10)		0.44
(11)		0.84
(21)		1.68
(43)		1.73
(44)		12.25
(312)
Average snowfall inches (cm)17.4
(44)		13.0
(33)		9.9
(25)		3.4
(8.6)		0.9
(2.3)		0.2
(0.51)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.4
(1.0)		1.7
(4.3)		10.6
(27)		14.6
(37)		72.1
(182.71)
Source: WRCC [10]

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References

  1. 1 2 Emily Mandagie (10 August 2020). "BOAT BOX HOT SPRINGS" . Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Idaho Hot Springs: Elkhorn (Boat Box)" . Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Berry, George W.; Grim, Paul J.; Ikelman, Joy A. (1980). Thermal Spring List for the United States. Boulder, Colorardo: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 23.
  4. 1 2 Denis LeBlanc. "Boat Box Hot Spring" . Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Places to go, things to see - Stanley, Idaho (summer)" . Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  6. ↑ Matt Gross (February 28, 2019). "Idaho's Hidden Hot Springs Will Simmer Away Reality". Bloomberg News . Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Riparian and Wetland". United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  8. ↑ Makovsky, Kyle; Mink, Leland "Roy"; Beckwith, Robert. "Stanley Geothermal Feasibility Study Task 3 Report: Temperature Logging and Chemical Geothermometer Analysis" (PDF). Boise State University. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  9. ↑ Welhan, John Andrew; Autenrieth, Kathleen (January 2012). "Preliminary Characterization of the Geothermal Systemat Stanley, Idaho, for Possible Resource Utilization". Transactions: Geothermal Resources Council. 36. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  10. ↑ "Stanley, Idaho". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
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