Soldier Meadows hot spring system
{{short description|Hot spring system}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox spring
| name = Soldier Meadows hot spring system
| other_name = Soldier Meadows Warm Pond
Bathtub Spring
Soldier Meadows Hot Creek
Chukar Gulch
| photo = Soldier Meadows Hot Springs (4788090715).jpg
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| location = near Gerlach, Nevada
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| elevation = 4,450 to 4,500 feet
| coordinates = {{coord|41.379883|-119.1814|format=dms|type:landmark_region:US-NV|display=inline,title}}
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| hot_spring_type = geothermal
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File:Soldier Meadows Hot Springs (4788091277).jpg
Soldier Meadows hot spring system is a group of hot and warm springs near the town of Gerlach, Nevada.
History
The springs were first used by Indigenous people who occupied the Great Basin area for more than 10,000 years. The band of Northern Paiute people in this area are called Aga'ipanadokado or "fish lake eaters."{{cite web |title=Soldier Meadows Area of Critical Environmental Concern |url=https://blackrockdesert.org/wp-content/uploads/Soldier-Meadows.pdf|publisher=Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=31 August 2020}} The Soldier Meadows area gets its name from the time during the American Civil War when troops were stationed nearby.
Features
Soldier Meadows contains several geothermal spring features including Soldier Meadows Warm Pond, Bathtub Spring, Soldier Meadows Hot Creek, and Chukar Gulch, among others.{{cite book |last1=Berry |first1=George W. |last2=Grim |first2=Paul J. |last3=Ikelman |first3=Joy A. |title=Thermal Spring List for the United States |date=1980 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |location=Boulder, Colorardo}}{{cite book |last1=Gersh-Young |first1=Marjorie |title=Hot Springs and Hot Pools in the Southwest |date=2011 |publisher=Aqua Thermal |location=Santa Cruz, California |isbn=978-1-890880-09-5 |pages=20–21}}
=Soldier Meadows Warm Pond=
Soldier Meadows Warm Pond is a large warm spring located in the middle of the meadow with a large {{cite news |last1=Poole |first1=Gary Andrew |title=JOURNEYS; Drawing a Hot Bath From the Center of the Earth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/01/travel/journeys-drawing-a-hot-bath-from-the-center-of-the-earth.html |accessdate=31 August 2020 |publisher=The New York Times |date=1 November 2002}} natural, two-foot deep soaking pool. The warm mineral water percolates up through the sand and gravel bottom. The temperature ranges from {{Convert|90|–|102|F}}. About {{Convert|0.5|mile}} away is a second small warm pond with a temperature of {{Convert|100|F}}. Elevation {{Convert|4500|ft}}. GPS coordinates are N 41 22.793 W 119.10.884.
=Bathtub Spring=
=Soldier Meadows Hot Creek=
Several rock dams have been built along Soldier Meadows Hot Creek to form three primitive soaking pools on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The odorless water ranges in temperature from {{Convert|112|–|106|F}}. The elevation is {{Convert|4500|ft}}. GPS coordinates N 41 21.531 W 119.13.502.
=Chukar Gulch=
Area of critical environmental concern
Because of the high use of the various hot spring features in the area, it has been designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) by the Bureau of Land Management. Use of sunscreen and other chemicals have compromised the water quality and impacted on the life forms it supports, including the Soldier Meadows Springtail snail, a species that only exist in this habitat. The building of rock soaking pool enclosures also impacts upon the springtail snail population.