East Jordan Canal

Salt Lake County, Utah · Near South Jordan
40.5450°N, 111.9280°W · 4,395 ft
73°F 4,395 ft Roadside Camping nearby (9.9 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around East Jordan Canal LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around East Jordan Canal
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.

East Jordan Canal is what the USGS calls a thermal point in Salt Lake County, roughly three miles from South Jordan. The water is mildly warm. Nobody has recorded chemistry for it, and neither ownership nor access status appears anywhere. It reads as a survey location in the suburbs, with nothing to suggest people soak here.

Location

Alta Creek Circle is the nearest road, about 75 feet away. Valley elevation on the Wasatch Front. Snowfall is close to four feet a winter and the year is moderately wet for Utah. The name points to a canal, and the record gives nothing beyond that.

Listed best months are December through February. Dogwood Day Use is about ten miles off. Given how little is on file, treat this as a point of interest on the map and confirm access in person before expecting anything. There is no photo and no sample date.

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 East Jordan Canal.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
16 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 46% 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
29°
Jan
33°
Feb
42°
Mar
49°
Apr
59°
May
73°
Jun
81°
Jul
79°
Aug
69°
Sep
54°
Oct
41°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 17.5 in Annual Snow: 45.5 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 29°F · Water 73°F · +45° contrast
December Air 29°F · Water 73°F · +44° contrast
February Air 33°F · Water 73°F · +40° contrast
January offers 53°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
Clear WSW 16.6 mph
Today 86° Low 59° Partly Sunny 9% precip
Wednesday 84° Low 61° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 57% precip
Thursday 83° Low 56° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 41% precip
Friday 79° Low 52° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 15% precip
Saturday 79° Low 53° Sunny 4% precip
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Dogwood Day Use 9.9 mi away

Overview Dogwood Day Use Picnic Area is just 2 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon, conveniently close to Salt Lake City. Big Cottonwood Creek runs alongside the site. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking and biking.Recreation Big Cottonwood Creek is stocked for trout fishing and is a favorite among local fly-fisherman. Additionally, many hiking and mountain biking trailheads are located in the canyon.Facilities Dogwood offers several group picnic sites, all with tables, campfire rings and grills. Parki...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
73°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 73°F (23°C)
Avg Air Temp 53°F
Above Ambient +20°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Alta Creek Circle
Distance to Road 74 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at East Jordan Canal?
East Jordan Canal has a water temperature of 73°F (23°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is East Jordan Canal located?
East Jordan Canal is located in Salt Lake County, Utah at 4,395 feet elevation, near South Jordan. Coordinates: 40.5450°N, 111.9280°W.
How do I get to East Jordan Canal?
East Jordan Canal has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Alta Creek Circle (74 ft from the road).
Can I camp near East Jordan Canal?
Yes, Dogwood Day Use is located nearby (9.9 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS