Waters of Saratoga

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.

Saratoga Spa State Park

Saratoga Spa State Park

Saratoga Spa State Park in the Winter

Saratoga’s Mineral Springs: Spouters & Tufa

Saratoga Spa State Park 2019

Saratoga Spa State Park: 2020

State Seal Spring

February 6, 2017

Geyser Mineral Spring

February 6, 2017

Charlie Spring

October 21, 2016

Orenda Spring

September 14, 2015

Orenda Spring at Saratoga Spa State Park

Geyser Island Spouter

August 12, 2017

Hayes Well Spring

May 2, 2017

State Seal Spring

By the Creekside Classroom – July 11, 2017

Polaris Spouter

My very favorite spring to drink from! Photo credit: Becky Jaworski – October 2, 2016

Tallulah Spring

May 18, 2017

Tallulah Spring at Saratoga Spa State Park

Memorial Spring (Shonts Well #3)

October 5, 2017

Memorial Spring, Saratoga Spa State Park

Karista Spring

February 6, 2017

Ferndell Spring

February 8, 2017

Hathorn No. 3 Spring

March 3, 2017

Coesa Spouter

November 14, 2016

Champion Spouter

September 14, 2015

High Rock Park

Governor Spring & Peerless Spring

November 6, 2017

High Rock Spring

March 8, 2017
November 6, 2017

Empire Spring

November 3, 2016

Old Red Spring

August 11, 2017

Saratoga Race Course

Big Red Spring

July 28, 2017

Congress Park

Hathorn Spring

October 21, 2016

Columbian Spring

October 21, 2017

Congress Spring

October 21, 2016

Deer Park Spring

October 21, 2016

Bathhouses

Washington Bathhouse

January 30, 2017

The Lincoln Baths

January 30, 2017

The Roosevelt Baths

December 7, 2014

All photos were taken by me (Alicen Hutcheson) unless otherwise stated.