19 Traveling…Geo-Thermal Water

The Geo-thermal Springs of Hot Springs, AR

I have visited Hot Springs, AR on previous travels but not specifically to view the geo-thermal springs. According to Wickepedia, geo-thermal means power from heat stored in the earth. There are 47 protected springs located along the lower slopes of Hot Springs mountain within about a 400 yard area. The water averages 143 degrees F at its source with an average flow rate of 700,000 gallons per day.

Due to an amazing plumbing feat the “hot” water is used as a source of heating for the bathhouses during the winter months as well as being cooled to approximately 100 degrees F and used for thermal mineral baths. Though I didn’t indulge in a bath this trip, I did dip my hand into one of the “not so cool” pools, it was “HOT”. I didn’t bring my thermometer and I’m pretty sure it was slightly cooler than 143 degrees but it was definitely a lot hotter than my hot tub. It’s amazing to see this thermal water flowing from the earth. The ambient temperature was in the lower 40’s the day I visited and you could see steam rising in several locations where the water was exposed to the surface. A nickname Hot Springs was christened with is “Valley of Vapors” because of this steam. For many thousands of years, geo-thermal water flowed freely down the lower slopes of, what is now called, Hot Springs mountain. As this water cooled and evaporated, it left behind calcium and silica salts, forming terraces of rock called “Tufa”. Today the streams of geo-thermal water are “channelled” through an intricate plumbing system to several structures to provide heating or bathing water. Hot Springs, AR is not in a volcanic region, the water is heated by another method. Outcroppings of chert and Arkansas novaculite absorb rainfall. The water enters the earth through small fissures or openings. As the water “percolates” down deep into the earth, increasingly warmer rock heats the water around 4 degrees F for every 300 feet. This is the average geo-thermal gradient worldwide. The heating is caused by gravitational compression and the decomposition of radioactive material. The heated water then comes out in streams on the lower slope of the mountain. The radioactive level is not enough to make the water “unhealthy” or harmful. There are several other locations throughout the world that use geo-thermal waters for electrical generation but not here, the waters here are potable(you can safely drink them) and are considered by many to be therapeutic and healing. The streams are protected by the Federal Government and are in an area called “Hot Springs National Park”. I’m going to take my wife with me next visit and enjoy a “thermal bath”. Next week, I have a really special guest. Diane Tegarden from Pasadena, CA, an author of print, alternative energy user/expert, new radio talk show host, social network leader/moderator and, with her husband, past owner and operator of an alternative energy company in California. Diane’s debut radio program is December 8 at 10 a.m. PST, 12 noon CST. Listen in and contribute to her interview of Shel Horowitz as they discuss the “ins and outs of green marketing”, by calling 646 721-9960. For more information on her radio show and some of her other endeavors go to her website at – www.firewalkerpublications.com. Till then, May God Bless You. Tim
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Tags: bath houses, geo-thermal, Hot Springs