Grover Hot Springs State Park

Grover Hot Springs State Park

Streambed and waterfall at Grover Hot Springs
Map showing the location of Grover Hot Springs State Park
Location Alpine County, California, USA
Nearest city Markleeville, California
Coordinates 38°42′5″N 119°50′20″W / 38.70139°N 119.83889°WCoordinates: 38°42′5″N 119°50′20″W / 38.70139°N 119.83889°W
Area 553 acres (224 ha)
Established 1959
Governing body California Department of Parks and Recreation

Grover Hot Springs State Park is a state park of California, USA, containing natural hot springs on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. Park amenities include a swimming pool complex fed by the hot springs, as well as a campground, picnic area, and hiking trails.[1] The 553-acre (224 ha) park was established in 1959.[2]

Name

Named for Alvin M Grover on whose homestead the springs are situated and was county assessor.[3]

Geography

Grover Hot Springs State Park is located at 5,900 feet (1,800 m) in the northern Sierra Nevada, at the edge of the Great Basin. Vegetation consists mainly of pine forest, sagebrush, and open meadows. The park is open all year allowing visitors to experience a variety of weather conditions, from major blizzards to dry days, from warm clear nights to intense, blasting thunderstorms. Winds of great speed coming off the mountains are capable of whipping through the park causing damage during any month of the year.[1]

Hot springs and pools

The mineral deposits on the bottom of the pool cause refracted light to lose certain wavelengths; a distinct yellow-green hue is noticeable. These mineral deposits are laid down on the bottom by an oxidation reaction between the mineral salts in the water and the bromine used as a sanitizing agent. The pool complex is generally open every day (except Wednesday) from June through August for public wading. The pools close during nearby thunderstorms due to the possibility of lightning striking the water. During the winter, the pool complex will usually remain open.[1]

Technical data

Hot Springs energy output[4]
Temperature 147 °F 41 °C
Flow 105 gpm 398 L/min
Capacity 0.6 X 106 Btu/hr 0.2 MWt
Annual Energy 4.7 X 109 Btu/yr 1.4 GWh/yr
Element Analysis (mg/l)[5]
Sodium 440 Iron <0.02
Potassium 13 Manganese 0.08
Lithium 0.82 Ammonia <0.10
Rubidium 0.06 Bicarbonate 775
Cesium 0.1 Carbonate <1.0
Calcium 31 Sulfate 160
Magnesium 1.9 Chloride 190
Aluminum 0.002 Fluoride 4.2
Silica 100 Boron 3.1
Sulfide <0.05
Element Analysis (mcg/l)[5]
Cobalt <50 Copper <10
Cadmium <10 Mercury <0.1
Nickel <20 Lead <100
Zinc 110
Gas Escaping (vol%)[5]
Oxygen+Argon 1.4
Nitrogen 62.0
Methane 0.34
Carbon Dioxide 36.4

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Grover Hot Springs SP". California State Parks. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  2. "California State Park System Statistical Report: Fiscal Year 2009/10". California State Parks. p. 32. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  3. Gudde, Erwin G. (1998). California place names : the origin and etymology of current geographical names (4th ed., rev. and enl. ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 154. ISBN 0520213165.
  4. "Grover Hot Springs State Park". Geo-Heat Center. 2012-01-01. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Grover Hot Springs information plaque on location

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grover Hot Springs State Park.