Poulsen Spring (Salt)

Box Elder County, Utah · Near Tremonton
41.4490°N, 112.4420°W · 4,250 ft
72°F 66°F air · Good soaking weather 4,250 ft Roadside
Aerial view of the ground around Poulsen Spring (Salt) LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Poulsen Spring (Salt)
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.

Poulsen Spring, the one with Salt in parentheses on the record, is a warm, salty spring in Box Elder County about 23 miles from Tremonton. Lukewarm water, heavy with dissolved solids. It sits on South East Promontory Road, close enough that the road distance on file is a handful of feet. Ownership is not recorded.

Location
21 miles from Brigham City, UT

Low country at about 4,250 feet along the Promontory road, with a climate that is dry in summer and sees a couple of feet of snow through winter. The spring is right at the roadside. There is no land owner, unit, or designation in the record, and no campground listed.

Winter is the listed season. The 1966 sample showed a very high mineral load, which fits the Salt in the name; the reading is old and may not hold. With the spring this close to a public road, looking is easy, though access onto the ground is unrecorded. No fee on file, no camping on file.

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 Poulsen Spring (Salt).

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the west.
Highest ground nearby
188 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
169 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 96% 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
26°
Jan
31°
Feb
40°
Mar
50°
Apr
60°
May
72°
Jun
81°
Jul
79°
Aug
69°
Sep
54°
Oct
41°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.4 in Annual Snow: 24.3 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 26°F · Water 72°F · +46° contrast
December Air 29°F · Water 72°F · +43° contrast
February Air 31°F · Water 72°F · +41° contrast
January offers 55°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
66°F
Clear 8.1 mph Good soaking weather
Today 77° Low 56° Partly Sunny
Wednesday 82° Low 59° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny 13% precip
Thursday 80° Low 55° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 56% precip
Friday 76° Low 52° Sunny 6% precip
Saturday 77° Low 52° Sunny 1% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1966-03-23

The water at Poulsen Spring (Salt) is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7) with 3750 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 7.7 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 92 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 54 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 1,180 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 176 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 1,950 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Temperature
72°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 72°F (22°C)
Avg Air Temp 53°F
Above Ambient +19°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road South East Promontory Road
Distance to Road 18 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Poulsen Spring (Salt)?
Poulsen Spring (Salt) has a water temperature of 72°F (22°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Poulsen Spring (Salt) located?
Poulsen Spring (Salt) is located in Box Elder County, Utah at 4,250 feet elevation, near Tremonton. Coordinates: 41.4490°N, 112.4420°W.
How do I get to Poulsen Spring (Salt)?
Poulsen Spring (Salt) has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being South East Promontory Road (18 ft from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Poulsen Spring (Salt)?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.7 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 3,750 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS