Memorial Spring, Saratoga Spa State Park

Memorial Spring, Saratoga Spa State Park

Memorial Spring. In the beginning, it wasn’t on any Saratoga Spa State Park map.

A Nameless Spring

Orange construction fencing, stood out against the winter snow.
I walked towards the fenced off area, curious about what I would find.
Peering into a pile of leaves, I saw water, trickling out of a capped pipe.

I didn’t know its name, but the prospect of a new spring was exciting!

I searched relentlessly for information about this nameless spring.
Over and over again, I found the same article.
Finally, I realized that this article was all the information that existed about this newly uncapped spring.

In Saratoga Springs, reviving the wells that made it famous by Associated Press

Shonts Well #3

July 18, 2017 – I learned from the park’s environmental educator that Zachariah Schonts was the owner of the property in the 1920s, and he used to let his cows graze down the valley and drink from Geyser Creek.

Memorial Spring Timeline

It was interesting to watch the progression of the spring’s restoration.
Of course I had to catalogue it.

February 6, 2017
Geyser Creek in the Geyser Picnic area – Notice the orange construction fence in the distance? It surrounds the unknown spring.
March 8, 2017
Checking up on this nameless spring, everything seemed the same as the first time I saw it in February.
May 6, 2017
You can see bubbles in the center of the spring’s puddle.
July 5, 2017
Bubbly! I’m pretty sure that it’s the spring’s carbonation you can see bubbling up in the murky water.
August 1, 2017
So dry. It’s hard to imagine that less than a month ago, there was a huge puddle where the large cement slab was placed.
August 8, 2017
A picture of progress made. I’m fairly certain this was the day I saw Memorial Spring named and marked on the Saratoga Spa State Park map.
August 12, 2017
Looks like the plumbing is done and all Memorial Spring needs is a fountain.
September 11, 2017
Surprise! Memorial Spring is a Spouter!
October 5, 2017
Memorial Spring spouting away! I was sure a fountain would be installed before winter.
November 20, 2017
Buried.
December 5, 2017
Red discoloration of the dirt and calcium deposits left behind is evidence a mineral spring was nearby.
July 23, 2018
The question I asked myself while staring at this dirt patch was, “Was the water puddled from Memorial Spring, or was it strictly from the most recent rain?”

I was optimistic, hoping that the restoration was only on hold for the winter.

As of July 2018, nothing was happening. The constantly curious part of me was happy to have had the opportunity to witness the process of retapping a natural spring, even though I was disappointed by my never ending wait for Memorial Spring to flourish.

And then one day…

May 6, 2019
I was so excited to see progress!
June 6, 2019
And more progress! I knew the fountain for Memorial Spring had to be on its way!

August 7, 2019

My first time seeing Memorial Spring flow with a fountain!

Memorial Spring

It sputters sporadically with beautiful splashes and tastes slightly fizzy with a bit of sweetness, but it’s still somehow salty. Each time I taste Memorial Spring I am surprised by the sweet.

Another charming spring near Geyser Creek in Saratoga Spa State Park.

All photos were taken by me (Alicen).