Dexter Spring

Alamosa County, Colorado · Near Alamosa East
37.2940°N, 105.7840°W · 7,526 ft
68°F 45°F air · Good soaking weather 7,526 ft Short Walk
Aerial view of the ground around Dexter Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Dexter Spring
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Dexter Spring, a named spring thirteen miles out of Alamosa East in Alamosa County, Colorado, sits at around 7,500 feet. The USGS logged 68 degrees, a cool reading, and took a chemistry sample in 1984. Ownership and access are blank. It is a water record more than a soaking spot, and the name is all the identity it has.

Location

X Road comes within a fifth of a mile; the record calls it a short walk. High, dry climate: ten inches of precipitation, a little over two feet of snow, mean temperature around 45. The record lists no campground nearby. No land unit is attached, and the road name is the only local detail.

The record favors winter, though at that temperature the water is a curiosity in any season. No fee recorded. Access is unrecorded, so ask before leaving X Road. The chemistry dates to a 1984 sample, alkaline, iron among the minerals listed. Camping would mean a drive, since nothing is on record close by.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Dexter Spring.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
39 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
81 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 18% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
21°
Jan
27°
Feb
37°
Mar
44°
Apr
52°
May
66°
Jun
68°
Jul
65°
Aug
59°
Sep
47°
Oct
34°
Nov
22°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.6 in Annual Snow: 26.5 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 21°F · Water 68°F · +47° contrast
December Air 22°F · Water 68°F · +46° contrast
February Air 27°F · Water 68°F · +41° contrast
January offers 47°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
45°F
Clear 93% Good soaking weather
Today 78° Low 50° Areas Of Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 33% precip
Wednesday 74° Low 52° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 73% precip
Thursday 70° Low 45° Showers And Thunderstorms 86% precip
Friday 72° Low 39° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 57% precip
Saturday 73° Low 37° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 26% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1984-05-03

The water at Dexter Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.2).

pH 8.2 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 12 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 2 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 28 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 28 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 2 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 10 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Mile-High Advisory 7,526 ft

Dexter Spring sits at 7,526 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 30% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
68°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 68°F (20°C)
Avg Air Temp 45°F
Above Ambient +23°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road X Road
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Dexter Spring?
Dexter Spring has a water temperature of 68°F (20°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Dexter Spring located?
Dexter Spring is located in Alamosa County, Colorado at 7,526 feet elevation, near Alamosa East. Coordinates: 37.2940°N, 105.7840°W.
How do I get to Dexter Spring?
Dexter Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being X Road (0.2 mi from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Dexter Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.2 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS