The hydraulic press., 1859-11-12
MINERAL SPRINGS.

along the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada,
in the valleys lying between that slope and
Carson and Walkers rivers, and in the vol
canic regions beyond, occurring also at in
tervals all the way across 'the Palms,
Much of the soil throughout the country
mentioned is mineralized-some of the most
luxuriant meadows exhibiting saline efflor-
escence-while but little of the water is en-
tirely free from mineral admixture, or "al-
kali" to use the term of the emigrant-
The peculiarities of many of these mineral
springs are we'll known to thousands of CAL
ifornians who came to this State over land,
and we do not propose to describe them.
The object of this article is to give as con-
densed an account as possible of two re-
markable hot springs, which have attracted
the notice of all who have visited the new
silver mines of Western Utah. The first of
these is popularity named
Steamboat Springs,
very rightly in the plural, because there are
a number of separate fountains or basins,
scattered over wide extent of ground
These springs are situated at the southern
extremity of Steamboat Valley. which is
properly a continuation cf the Truckee river
meadows, lying east of Nevada county and
between Washoe mountain and the range in
which the famous silver leads were found.
The valley is another Sacramento Valley in
miniature having strcamlet meandering
perhaps ten miles in length by five in width.
Standing in the midst of this levely vale, at
early morning, the traveller sees before him
ia the southern distance numerous slender
columns of white vapor, which blend into
one stratum at top and then float off in slen-
der wreaths along the blue hillside. The
number of these wavering, unsteady columns
is variable. When we saw them at first,
there were twenty or more, and two days
later only seven. On approaching them
within half mile the air becomes decidedly
sulphurous, and a slight sound as Of far
eff steamboat is heard, which grows louder
rs the distance decreases until it is like the
or the chuf, chuff that accompanies the
emission Of steam through an escape pipe
The vapor mostly rises from three parallel
fssures ina mound that was evidently formed
by deposition. This mound is grevish white
in color, some five hundred or six hundred
feet wide hy about twelve hundred feet long,
and fifty or sixty feet deep, and is entirely
composed of silicates and carbonates of va
rious minerals, such as sodium, magnesium
and lime, disposed in thin lamina. Around
the sloping base of this curious mound, on
the east side, winds a small stream of cool
tasteless water, whose margin is grassy
strangely contrasting with the mass of white,
steaming mineral near by. The assures al
luded to are only six inches or foot wide,
and probably not deeper than the mound
itself Standing over them, when the as
cending vapor is not too dense, one hears
strange subterranean gurglings, roarings and
rumblings, and sees on their rugged sides,
which incline at considerable angle, small
dispositions of sulphur and common salt.
Around the eastern side aud southern end
of the mound, are about thirty circular ba-
sins filled with boiling water which is con-
stantly yelling up and running over. These
are properly the springs. One of them was
exceedingly active when we were on the
spot putting loudly, steaming and forcing
a small jet of water fifteen or twenty inches
above its rim. All the springs are not
equally hot, though any of them will burn
the hand. One of the largest was once en-
ployed for scalding hog, which it did most
effectually, according to our Informant
Some of them have a strongly acid taste,
while others are nearly devoid of taste.
They are not confined to the mound described
above, but extend through the narrow neck
of the valley for nearly Il mile, for which
distance the road goes mostlyoyer the crust
of extinct springs which emits a hollow
sound as the horseman trots across it. We
brought away bottle of water from one of
the springs, and chemical analysis of the
same, made for US by DR.. Lanzweert, of San
Francisco, afforded the subjoined results:
Water perfectly clear and transparent =
Slightly acid reaction. Density 1.oo96.
Constituent salts in one pint:
Chloride of Sodium grains.
Chloride of Magncsum..-.. g
Bborate of
Carbonate of Soda........................1 So ss
Carbonate of Lime. 4"
Sulphate of So
Slllci.
Organic matter, Resin.........-.......-.009 Z"
12.97
This analysis proves that the water of the
Steamboat Springs possesses valuable med
ical properties, for which it may yet be