Springs (Hot)

Harney County, Oregon · Near Burns
43.3950°N, 118.3080°W · 3,589 ft
106°F 32°F air · Good soaking weather 3,589 ft Roadside

Listed only as Springs (Hot), this is a soaking-warm source in Harney County roughly forty miles from Burns. The temperature on file is in the comfortable range for a soak. It is a USGS thermal site with a 1977 water sample attached, which is the only chemistry this page has. Owner and access status are both blank.

Location

A road passes within a few hundred feet, and the record does not say which one. The spring sits at around thirty-six hundred feet in the high desert. Snow is moderate over a winter, a bit over two feet, and the annual precipitation total is around a foot. No land unit is recorded.

Midwinter is flagged on file. The 1977 sample shows alkaline water, with a pH above nine, and lists calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfate, chloride and iron among the constituents measured. That sample is almost fifty years old, so do not rely on it. Confirm access before visiting, since the record is silent on ownership. No campground is listed.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Aerial view of the ground around Springs (Hot)

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
13 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
78 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 13% 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
35°
Feb
42°
Mar
49°
Apr
58°
May
68°
Jun
79°
Jul
78°
Aug
67°
Sep
52°
Oct
39°
Nov
31°
Dec
Annual Precip: 12.4 in Annual Snow: 26.8 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 30°F · Water 106°F · +76° contrast
December Air 31°F · Water 106°F · +76° contrast
February Air 35°F · Water 106°F · +71° contrast
January offers 49°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
32°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 86% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 75° Low 42° Mostly Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +31° warmer
Wednesday 76° Low 46° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +30° warmer
Thursday 72° Low 47° Chance Rain Showers 47% precip
Spring is +34° warmer
Friday 76° Low 45° Sunny 5% precip
Spring is +30° warmer
Saturday 78° Low 46° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +28° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1977-06-28

The water at Springs (Hot) is alkaline (pH 9.1).

pH 9.1 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 3 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 100 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 51 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 70 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 30 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Temperature
106°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 106°F (41°C)
Avg Air Temp 52°F
Above Ambient +54°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 266 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Springs (Hot)?
Springs (Hot) has a water temperature of 106°F (41°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Springs (Hot) located?
Springs (Hot) is located in Harney County, Oregon at 3,589 feet elevation, near Burns. Coordinates: 43.3950°N, 118.3080°W.
How do I get to Springs (Hot)?
Springs (Hot) has Roadside road access (266 ft from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Springs (Hot)?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 9.1 (alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia