Spring

Modoc County, Nevada · Near Alturas
41.3980°N, 119.1650°W · 4,580 ft
84°F 4,580 ft Roadside
Aerial view of the ground around Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around 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.

The record files this unnamed warm spring under Nevada, in Modoc County, with Alturas given as the nearest town at no distance at all. The water is tepid, cooler than a bath, and a 2020 sample shows it very lightly mineralized, close to fresh. Neither the land owner nor any access status is recorded. There is no photograph.

Location

County Road 217 passes within about a hundred and eighty feet. Roadside. Elevation is around forty-six hundred feet, and winters bring close to three feet of snow on low precipitation overall. The record carries no land unit and no designation, and no campground is listed, so the setting beyond the road is undocumented. Whatever is there, nobody has written it down.

The calendar note on file says midwinter, though tepid water in a snowy month is a narrow pleasure. Because ownership is blank, assume the spring may be on private ground until you learn otherwise. The sample is recent, which is unusual for this database. Roadside access means no walking in.

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 Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the west.
Highest ground nearby
303 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
135 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 86% 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
31°
Jan
33°
Feb
40°
Mar
48°
Apr
57°
May
68°
Jun
78°
Jul
77°
Aug
67°
Sep
53°
Oct
40°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 10.9 in Annual Snow: 33.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 29°F · Water 84°F · +55° contrast
January Air 31°F · Water 84°F · +53° contrast
February Air 33°F · Water 84°F · +51° contrast
December offers 49°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
Clear SSE 33.0 mph
Tuesday 79° Low 45° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +5° warmer
Wednesday 75° Low 46° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +9° warmer
Thursday 73° Low 47° Mostly Sunny 13% precip
Spring is +11° warmer
Friday 77° Low 46° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +7° warmer
Saturday 80° Low 48° Sunny
Spring is +4° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2020-09-15

The water at Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.6) with 161 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 7.6 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 10 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 3 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 22 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 13 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 10 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Temperature
84°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 84°F (29°C)
Avg Air Temp 52°F
Above Ambient +32°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road County Road 217
Distance to Road 179 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Spring?
Spring has a water temperature of 84°F (29°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Spring located?
Spring is located in Modoc County, Nevada at 4,580 feet elevation, near Alturas. Coordinates: 41.3980°N, 119.1650°W.
How do I get to Spring?
Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being County Road 217 (179 ft from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.6 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 161 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia