Ninemile Springs

Humboldt County, Nevada · Near Winnemucca
41.7060°N, 118.2610°W · 4,395 ft
79°F 4,395 ft Short Walk
Aerial view of the ground around Ninemile Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Ninemile Springs
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.

Ninemile Springs in Humboldt County is a warm spring, tepid by hot spring standards, about 58 miles from Winnemucca. The water is cooler than body heat. No landowner or access status is on file. What is on file is a water sample from 1959 showing low dissolved solids, not much mineral in it at all.

Location

Ninemile Road runs within a tenth of a mile, so there's barely any walking. The elevation is low for northern Nevada, under 4,500 feet, and the year is dry, ten inches of precipitation with around two feet of snow in winter. Nothing on the record describes the pool or the ground around it.

The record rates the winter months best. Getting there is easy once you are on Ninemile Road. At this temperature the water will feel cool in winter air, which is worth weighing against the season rating. No campground listed. Access and ownership are unknown, so look into that first. The chemistry on file is from the Eisenhower years and has not been rechecked.

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 Ninemile Springs.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the west.
Highest ground nearby
131 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
100 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 47% 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
30°
Jan
34°
Feb
42°
Mar
49°
Apr
58°
May
69°
Jun
80°
Jul
78°
Aug
68°
Sep
53°
Oct
40°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 10.3 in Annual Snow: 26.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 29°F · Water 79°F · +50° contrast
January Air 30°F · Water 79°F · +49° contrast
February Air 34°F · Water 79°F · +45° contrast
December offers 51°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
Clear SSE 16.9 mph
Today 74° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +5° warmer
Wednesday 73° Low 50° Sunny 4% precip
Spring is +6° warmer
Thursday 70° Low 47° Isolated Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny 15% precip
Spring is +9° warmer
Friday 74° Low 48° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +5° warmer
Saturday 77° Low 50° Sunny
Spring is +2° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1959-06-22

The water at Ninemile Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.0) with 219 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 8.0 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 25 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 6 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 27 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 20 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 22 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 140 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Temperature
79°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 79°F (26°C)
Avg Air Temp 52°F
Above Ambient +27°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Ninemile Road
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Ninemile Springs?
Ninemile Springs has a water temperature of 79°F (26°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Ninemile Springs located?
Ninemile Springs is located in Humboldt County, Nevada at 4,395 feet elevation, near Winnemucca. Coordinates: 41.7060°N, 118.2610°W.
How do I get to Ninemile Springs?
Ninemile Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Ninemile Road (0.1 mi from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Ninemile Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.0 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 219 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS