Frenchman's Hot Springs

Last updated
Frenchman's Hot Springs
Frenchman's Bend Hot Springs
Warfield Hot Springs
Location Blaine County, Idaho, United States
Coordinates 43°38′29″N114°29′14″W / 43.64129°N 114.48731°W / 43.64129; -114.48731 Coordinates: 43°38′29″N114°29′14″W / 43.64129°N 114.48731°W / 43.64129; -114.48731 [1] [2]
Elevation6,400 feet (2,000 m) [3]
Type geothermal
TemperatureVaries, emerges at 124°F (51.11°C) [3] [4]

Frenchman's Hot Springs, also known as Frenchman's Bend Hot Springs or Warfield Hot Springs, is a hot spring located along Warm Springs Creek in the Sawtooth National Forest, 11 miles (17.7km) from Ketchum, Idaho. [5] [4] The springs are composed of three wide, shallow pools. The pools are rock-walled, with sand and gravel covered bottoms. The average temperature of the springs varies throughout the year, but most of the time, water enters the springs at around 124°F (51.11°C). The water in the springs is usually clear. [3] [4]

Contents

Recreation

The springs can be accessed by following Warm Springs Road for 11 miles southwest of Ketchum, Idaho. The last 7 miles of the road are a well-maintained dirt road. Parking is limited. [6] The springs are open for public use year-round. [7] [8] However, the springs are often inaccessible during the winter and spring seasons, due to ice, snow, and spring runoff causing avalanches and slick road conditions, making the road impassable. [9] As such, most visitors visit from June to October. [10] [6]

There are three total pools at the springs. One is easily accessible off the main road, whereas the other two pools are reached by wading across Warm Springs Creek. [6] Water is generally at a temperature of 124°F (51.11°C) when entering the springs, but can be controlled by shifting rocks in the dam. [4]

While soaking in the pools visitors can admire the nearby Warm Springs Creek, which the hot springs are built upon, along with local wildlife. Local plants include the subalpine fir, the Engelmann spruce, the Douglas fir, chokecherries, alders, willows, tufted hairgrass, sagebrush, and reedgrass. Local animals can include elk, moose, deer, ground squirrels, chipmunks, and snakes. [11]

Water profile

The hot mineral water emerges from the source at 124°F / 51.11°C. [12] Underground aquifer temperatures have been recorded at 131°F. [13] Mineral content analyses show the following in mg/l: Calcium 2.1, Magnesium 0.03, Sodium 69, Potassium 1.90; pH 9.1. [12]

Related Research Articles

Long Valley Caldera

Long Valley Caldera is a depression in eastern California that is adjacent to Mammoth Mountain. The valley is one of the Earth's largest calderas, measuring about 20 mi (32 km) long (east-west), 11 mi (18 km) wide (north-south), and up to 3,000 ft (910 m) deep.

Hot spring Spring produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater

A hot spring, hydrothermal spring, or geothermal spring is a spring produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater onto the surface of the Earth. The groundwater is heated either by shallow bodies of magma or by circulation through faults to hot rock deep in the Earth's crust. In either case, the ultimate source of the heat is radioactive decay of naturally occurring radioactive elements in the Earth's mantle, the layer beneath the crust.

Spring (hydrology) Point at which water emerges from an aquifer to the surface

A spring is a point at which water flows from an aquifer to the Earth's surface. It is a component of the hydrosphere. Springs have long been important for humans as a source of water, especially in arid regions which have relatively little annual rainfall. They range in flow rate from nearly zero to more than 450 cubic feet per second, for the biggest springs. Springs are fed by groundwater, which is forced to the surface by various natural forces such as gravity and water pressure.

Alvord Desert Desert in southeastern Oregon

The Alvord Desert is a desert located in Harney County, in southeastern Oregon in the western United States. It is roughly southeast of Steens Mountain. The Alvord Desert is a 12-by-7-mile dry lake bed and averages 7 inches (180 mm) of rain a year. Two mountain ranges separate it from the Pacific Ocean—the Coast Range, and the Cascade Mountains. Along with Steens Mountain, these topographical features create a rain shadow. The Alvord Desert lies at an elevation of approximately 4,000 feet (1,200 m).

Geothermal heating Use of geothermal energy for heating

Geothermal heating is the direct use of geothermal energy for some heating applications. Humans have taken advantage of geothermal heat this way since the Paleolithic era. Approximately seventy countries made direct use of a total of 270 PJ of geothermal heating in 2004. As of 2007, 28 GW of geothermal heating capacity is installed around the world, satisfying 0.07% of global primary energy consumption. Thermal efficiency is high since no energy conversion is needed, but capacity factors tend to be low since the heat is mostly needed in the winter.

Harbin Hot Springs Retreat in California, United States

Harbin Hot Springs is a non-profit hot spring retreat and workshop center at Harbin Springs in Lake County, Northern California. Named after Matthew Harbin, a pioneer who settled in the Lake County area. It is located about two hours northeast of the San Francisco Bay Area, in the United States. The facility was partially destroyed in the Valley Fire in September 2015, and was temporarily closed. In January 2019 it partially reopened, including the main pools and sauna, and a limited cafeteria service.

Steamboat Springs (Nevada)

Steamboat Springs is a small volcanic field of rhyolitic lava domes and flows in western Nevada, located south of Reno. There is extensive geothermal activity in the area, including numerous hot springs, steam vents, and fumaroles. The residential portions of this area, located mostly east of Steamboat Creek and south of modern-day SR 341, are now known simply as Steamboat.

Hot Springs (Big Bend National Park) United States historic place

Hot Springs, also known as Boquillas Hot Springs, and Langford Hot Springs is a former thermal spring resort in what is now Big Bend National Park in Texas. Hot Springs was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Sloquet Hot Springs Place in British Columbia, Canada

Sloquet Hot Springs is a hot spring 100 km (62 mi) south east of Pemberton and Whistler in British Columbia, Canada along the in-SHUCK-ch forest service road and is located in the traditional First Nations community of Xa'xtsa or Douglas First Nation in the community of Tipella, at 78.5 km (48.8 mi) along the in-SHUCK-ch forest service road.

The Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route is an off-road bicycle touring route in central Idaho. Developed by Adventure Cycling Association, the route consists of 518 miles of mostly dirt roads and 227 miles of optional singletrack, with access to more than 50 hot springs.

Goldbug Hot Springs Thermal spring and recreation area

Goldbug Hot Springs is a hot spring located in the Salmon-Challis National Forest about 20 miles south of Salmon, Idaho. The spring is along Warm Spring Creek and there are about six waterfall-fed pools. Goldbug is listed as having a temperature of 113 °F (45 °C), but the temperature of the pools will vary depending on the time of year. The pools have a sand/gravel bottom and are dammed by boulders. Due to the hike and remoteness of the trailhead, it is not usually crowded.

Summer Lake Hot Springs Thermal springs in Oregon

Summer Lake Hot Springs are natural hot springs at the south end of Summer Lake in south-central Oregon. They are artesian mineral springs with four surface sources. The springs have complex water chemistry. The temperature of the main source is approximately 123 °F (51 °C) with a water flow of approximately 20 US gallons (76 L) per minute. Over the years, the site has been developed as a rustic family bathing and relaxation resort. The hot springs are 124 miles (200 km) southeast of Bend, Oregon, near the small town of Paisley, Oregon.

Ojo Caliente Hot Springs Thermal spring in New Mexico, USA

Ojo Caliente Hot Springs is a group of thermal springs located in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. They are also known as the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs.

Fish Lake Hot Well Thermal spring

Fish Lake Hot Well, also known as Fish Lake Hot Spring and Fish Lake Valley Hot Well is a geothermal hot spring in Nevada.

Baranof Warm Springs (thermal mineral springs) Thermal spring

Baranof Warm Springs are a series of ten geothermal mineral springs located in the small community of Baranof Warm Springs in Sitka, Alaska. The springs are surrounded by the Tongass National Forest.

Soldier Meadows hot spring system Hot spring system

Soldier Meadows hot spring system is a group of hot and warm springs near the town of Gerlach, Nevada.

Saline Valley Hot Springs Thermal springs in California

Saline Valley Hot Springs are a series of three thermal springs located in the remote Saline Valley area of Death Valley National Park.

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. 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. 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.

References

  1. ↑ "Warfield Hot Springs". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  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. 21. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Frenchman's Bend Hot Springs" . Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Frenchman's Bend Hot Springs, ID". December 31, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Frenchman's Bend Hot Springs". Ultimate Hot Springs Guide. 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 "Here Are the Best Sun Valley Hot Springs" . Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  7. ↑ Sarah Linville. "A Good Soak: a beginner's guide to the benefits of hot springs".
  8. ↑ "Hot Springs". The Valley Chamber.
  9. ↑ "Crews clear avalanches from road west of Ketchum". KMVT News. February 3, 2021.
  10. ↑ Sarah Linville. "A Good Soak: a beginner's guide to the benefits of hot springs".
  11. ↑ "Riparian and Wetland". United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  12. 1 2 Street, Leah V. "Geothermal Resource Analysis in the Big Wood River Valley, Blaine County, Idaho". Idaho Department of Water Resources. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  13. ↑ Sifford, Alex; Eastlake, William B. (1980). "Ketcham Idaho Site-Specific Development Analysis" (PDF). Idaho Geothermal Report, Idaho Office of Energy. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.