Characteristics of thermal springs and the shallow ground-water system at Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Yeatts DS. 2006. Characteristics of thermal springs and the shallow ground-water system at Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Scientific Investigations Report. 2006-5001. USGS. Reston, VA
The thermal springs of Hot Springs National Park have been valued for the recreational and therapeutic benefits of the thermal baths, as a source of drinking water, and a destination of attraction since the history of the area was first recorded. The future of the park and the city of Hot Springs depends greatly on maintaining and protecting this unique natural resource from degradation and contamination. To maintain and protect the thermal springs, it is imperative to understand the character of the springs, monitor changes in spring characteristics, and evaluate the source of the thermal springs. The thermal springs are situated in the Ouachita Mountains of central Arkansas. The springs emerge in a gap between Hot Springs Mountain and West Mountain in an area about 1,500 feet long by 400 feet wide. The springs predominantly are composed of a deep thermal ground water component with a lesser but qualitatively substantial component of shallow cold ground water. Currently, there are 43 thermal springs in the park that are presumed to be flowing. Thermal water from 33 of the thermal springs is collected and monitored at a central reservoir, which distributes the combined discharge for public use and consumption.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Yeatts, Daniel
- Date of Issue
- 2006
- Publisher
- USGS
- Units
- HIST , HOSP , WRD
- Keywords
- Characteristics, cold-water recharge, Dye Tracing, ehistory, Geologic Setting, Geology, ground-water system, History, hydrogeologic assessment, Hydrology, Monitoring, shallow aquifer system, Thermal Springs, Water Levels, Water Quality, WRBIB