Waters of Saratoga

Saratoga Springs, New York

Geologists disagree on the source of Saratoga Springs’ famous mineral waters. Some believe the rainfall in the Adirondacks drains into limestone deep beneath Saratoga. Others think the waters are contained in once-molten rocks. Still others believe they were trapped in sedimentary rocks formed in the beds of ancient seas. All three theories may be partly correct, and the waters may come from several sources.

Whatever their source, the water dissolve minerals under the ground and then rise to the surface along a series of faults, or cracks in the earth, in the Saratoga region. All of the spring waters contain similar minerals, though the varying proportions of minerals give each spring a distinctive taste. The waters also contain carbon dioxide gas, which makes them bubbly.

Some springs flowed to the surface naturally, but others were created by drilling as deep as 1,000 feet. While the number of springs reached more than 150 by the early 1900’s, only a few remain active today.

A sign at the Saratoga Spring’s Visitor Center

I have been on a serious Spring Hunt since I moved to Saratoga Springs, New York. I was curious before I lived in the city, but the easy access I’ve gained to the springs by moving closer has made me OBSESSIVE.

I began reading everything I could about the different springs throughout the city. I made lists of the different ones I knew I had been to and which parks they were in. I questioned why some springs were never talked about and were only listed occasionally. Some brochures claim 18 springs, while other brochures say there are 21. I had the thought that maybe it had to do with the classification of what “mineral spring” meant, but I don’t really know why there is this inconsistency.

I created this page to have a permanent list of the different Springs and Bathhouses I have visited. This page will enable me to write about the different springs in a way where I can continuously add posts (and photos) as I finish writing about each Spring’s uniqueness.