Baker Hot Springs | |
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Crater Springs Abraham Hot Springs | |
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Coordinates | 39°37′N 112°44′W / 39.61°N 112.73°W |
Elevation | 1460 [1] |
Type | volcanic |
Discharge | 17 gallons per second |
Temperature | 180°F |
Baker Hot Springs are a system of geothermal springs located on Fumarole Butte, northwest of the town of Delta, Utah. The springs were formerly known as Crater Springs and Abraham Hot Springs. [2]
The hot mineral water emerges from the spring at 180 °F/82 °C. [2] The primary mineral content is manganese, [3] and water has a high sulphur content giving it the characteristic "rotten egg" smell. [4]
A 1976 inventory mapped 40 spring openings with an estimated flow of 90 liters per second. [1] In 2011, the spring water discharged at 17 gallons per second, and flows into three concrete soaking pools, [5] approximately 5' x 8'; these concrete structures are all that is left of an old resort. [4] Next to the soaking pools is a channel with cold spring water that can be diverted into the soaking pools to cool the water. [4] Nearby are hot water seeps that can be dug out to create primitive soaking pools. [6]
The hot springs and seeps are located in the Sevier Desert on Fumarole Butte which is a basaltic andesite type of shield volcano from the Quaternary period, overlaying basalt and rhyolite. [7] The hot water emerges from a travertine and alluvial mound (sometimes described as a tufa mound) that flank the eastern side of the basalt lava formation. The area is fenced, but accessible, and used primarily by locals. There are a series of concrete soaking tubs constructed west of the spring heads. [8]