Giant Springs: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 47°32′03″N 111°13′48″W / 47.53417°N 111.23000°W / 47.53417; -111.23000
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Geobox
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=August 2022}}
| River
{{Infobox river
<!-- *** Name section *** -->
| name = Giant Springs State Park
| name = Giant Springs
| native_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Big Spring
| other_name1 = Wonderful Spring
| name_other = Big Spring, Wonderful Spring, Roe River, North Fork Roe River
| other_name2 = Roe River
| name_etymology =
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| other_name3 = North Fork Roe River
| image = Giant Springs03.JPG
<!-- *** Image *** --->
| image = Giant Springs03.JPG
| image_size =
| image_size =
| image_caption = Giant Springs
| image_caption = Giant Springs State Park
| map =
| map_size =
<!-- *** Country etc. *** -->
| country = United States
| map_caption =
| country1 =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size =
| state = Montana
| pushpin_map_caption=
| state1 =
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| region =
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| region1 =
| subdivision_name1 = [[United States]]
| district = [[Cascade County, Montana|Cascade County]]
| subdivision_type2 = State
| district1 =
| city = [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Montana]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| city1 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| city2 =
| subdivision_type4 = District
<!-- *** Geography *** -->
| subdivision_name4 = [[Cascade County, Montana|Cascade County]]
| length_imperial = 0.04
| subdivision_type5 = City
| length_note =
| subdivision_name5 = [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]]
| watershed_imperial =
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| watershed_note =
| length = {{convert|0.04|mi|km|abbr=on}}
| discharge_location = Giant Springs outlet
| discharge_imperial = 242
| width_min =
| discharge_max_imperial =
| width_avg =
| discharge_min_imperial =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| discharge_note =<ref name="MTSP">{{cite web|url=http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_282690.aspx|title=Giant Springs|publisher=Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks|accessdate=May 5, 2012}}</ref>
| discharge1_location =
| depth_avg =
| discharge1_imperial =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location= Giant Springs outlet<ref name="MTSP">{{cite web|url=http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_282690.aspx|title=Giant Springs|publisher=Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks|access-date=May 5, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114185912/http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_282690.aspx|archive-date=January 14, 2010}}</ref>
<!-- *** Source *** -->
| source_name =
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|242|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="MTSP">{{cite web|url=http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_282690.aspx|title=Giant Springs|publisher=Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks|access-date=May 5, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114185912/http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_282690.aspx|archive-date=January 14, 2010}}</ref>
| source_location =
| source_district =
| discharge1_max =
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source_region =
| source_state = Montana
| source1 =
| source1_location = [[Montana]]
| source_country =
| source1_coordinates=
| source_lat_d =
| source1_elevation =
| source_lat_m =
| source_lat_s =
| mouth = [[Roe River]]
| mouth_location = [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]], [[Cascade County, Montana|Cascade County]], [[Montana]]
| source_lat_NS =
| mouth_coordinates =
| source_long_d =
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|3314|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="MTSP"/>
| source_long_m =
| source_long_s =
| progression =
| source_long_EW =
| river_system =
| source_coordinates_note =
| basin_size =
| source_elevation_imperial =
| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
| source_elevation_note =
| source_length_imperial =
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
<!-- *** Mouth *** -->
| mouth_name = [[Missouri River]]
| extra =
| mouth_location = [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]]
| mouth_district = [[Cascade County, Montana|Cascade County]]
| mouth_region =
| mouth_state = Montana
| mouth_country =
| mouth_lat_d =
| mouth_lat_m =
| mouth_lat_s =
| mouth_lat_NS =
| mouth_long_d =
| mouth_long_m =
| mouth_long_s =
| mouth_long_EW =
| mouth_coordinates_note =
| mouth_elevation_imperial = 3314
| mouth_elevation_note = <ref name="MTSP"/>
<!-- *** Tributaries *** -->
| tributary_left =
| tributary_left1 =
| tributary_left2 =
| tributary_right =
| tributary_right1 =
| tributary_right2 =
<!-- *** Activities *** -->
| Activities_Do = hiking, biking, walking, birding, photography, fishing,
| Activities_See =
<!-- *** Map section *** -->
| map =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
}}
}}
'''Giant Springs''' is a large [[spring (hydrosphere)|first magnitude spring]] located near [[Great Falls, Montana]] and is the central feature of [[Giant Springs State Park]]. Its water has a constant temperature of {{convert|54|°F|°C}} and originates from snowmelt in the [[Little Belt Mountains]], {{convert|60|mi|km}} away. According to [[Chlorofluorocarbon#Partial pressure and ratio dating techniques|chlorofluorocarbon dating]], the water takes about 3,000 years<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stateparks.com/giant_springs_heritage_state_park_in_montana.html|title=Giant Springs Heritage State Park, a Montana State Park located near Great Falls|website=www.stateparks.com|access-date=2018-12-04}}</ref> to travel underground before returning to the surface at the springs.


Giant Springs is formed by an opening in a part of the [[Madison Group|Madison aquifer]], a vast [[aquifer]] underlying 5 U.S. States and 3 Canadian Provinces.<ref name="USGS">{{cite web|url=http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/karst/aquifers/madison/index|title=Madison Aquifer|publisher=United States Geological Survey|access-date=May 5, 2012}}

</ref> The conduit between the mountains and the spring is the geological [[stratum]] found in parts of the northwest United States called the [[Madison Limestone]]. Although some of the underground water from the [[Little Belt Mountains]] escapes to form Giant Springs, some stays underground and continues flowing, joining sources from [[losing stream]]s in the [[Black Hills]], [[Big Horn Mountains]] and other areas. The aquifer eventually surfaces in [[Canada]]. Giant Springs has an average discharge of {{convert|242|cuft|m3}} of water per second or 150 million gallons per day.<ref name="MTSP"/>
'''About'''
[[File:Giant Springs Trout 16.JPG|thumb|[[Rainbow trout]] in show pond of Giant Springs Fish Hatchery]]
Before the springs of '''Giant Springs State Park''' were described by [[Lewis and Clark]] during their exploration of the [[Louisiana Purchase]] in 1805, the area near the springs was used as wintering grounds for the Blackfeet tribe. Since the springs remained at a constant temperature, the water never froze and drinking water was much more readily available then the water running under the frozen [[Missouri River]]. Once the city of [[Great Falls, Montana]] was established in 1884, the park developed and served as a leisure park for city dwellers until the mid-1970's when it was established as a Montana State Park.
The spring outlet is located in '''Giant Springs State Park''', just downstream and northeast of [[Great Falls, Montana]] on the east bank of the [[Missouri River]]. Giant Springs was first described by [[Lewis and Clark]] during their exploration of the [[Louisiana Purchase]] in 1805. Before that, the Blackfeet people utilized the springs as an easy-to-access water source in the winter. The springs were mostly ignored by settlers until 1884 when the town of Great Falls was established and the springs became the place for Sunday recreational activities. In the mid-1970s the park was established as a Montana State Park.<ref>http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/HTML/articles/2005/GiantSprings.htm</ref>

Today the park is one of the most visited state parks in Montana with approximately 300,000 people visiting each year to take a gander at the park's namesake-the springs. While the springs are a wonder to see-there are many other things to do at Giant Springs State Park. In addition to the "park" area which includes the Springs, the Ranger Station, the Fish Hatchery, a family fishing pond, a few trail loops and 3 Reservation Areas (Heritage, Springs and Central) there are over 4,500 acres of front and backcountry to explore.
Today, some of the spring water is bottled annually for human consumption and some of the discharge is used for a [[trout]] [[hatchery]]. The hatchery is a Montana state trout hatchery named Giant Springs Trout Hatchery and raises mostly Rainbow Trout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/hatcheries/siteDetail.html?id=282375|title=Giant Springs Trout Hatchery |publisher=Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks|access-date=May 5, 2012}}</ref> The spring serves as the headwaters of the {{convert|200|ft|m|adj=on}}-long [[Roe River]], once listed as the shortest river in the world according to [[Guinness Book of World Records]]. The river flows into the [[Missouri River]] which is near the spring and borders its state park.

The park also features another amazing sight of Montana-the town’s name sake “The Great Falls.” The Great Falls of the Missouri are only one of 4 waterfalls located within the Park some of which feature hydroelectric dams owned by Northwestern Energy. All of the waterfalls and most of the dams are viewable by road and overlooks throughout the Park (Overlook Amenities: vault restrooms, info panels).

'''Hydrology of the Springs'''
The central feature of '''Giant Springs State Park''' is the Giant Springs, a large [[spring (hydrosphere)|first magnitude spring]] located near Great Falls, Montana. Its water has a constant temperature of {{convert|54|°F|°C}}. The crystal clear water originates from snow melt in the [[Little Belt Mountains]], {{convert|60|mi|km}} away. According to [[Chlorofluorocarbon#Partial_pressure_and_ratio_dating_techniques|chlorofluorocarbon dating]], the water takes 26 years to travel underground from the Little Belt Mountains to where the Madison Aquifer bubbles up to form the springs.
The [[Madison Group|Madison aquifer]] is a vast [[aquifer]] underlying 5 U.S. States and 3 Canadian Provinces.<ref name="USGS">{{cite web|url=http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/karst/aquifers/madison/index|title=Madison Aquifer|publisher=United States Geological Survey|accessdate=May 5, 2012}}

</ref> The conduit between the mountains and the spring is the geological [[stratum]] found in parts of the northwest United States called [[Madison Limestone]]. Although some of the underground water from the [[Little Belt Mountains]] escapes to form Giant Springs, some stays underground and continues flowing, joining sources from [[losing stream]]s in the [[Black Hills]], [[Big Horn Mountains]] and other areas. The aquifer eventually surfaces in [[Canada]].
[[File:Giant Springs Trout 16.JPG|thumb|[[Rainbow trout]] in show pond of Giant Springs Fish Hatchery]] Giant Springs has an average discharge of {{convert|242|cuft|m3}} of water per second.<ref name="MTSP"/>
'''Spring Use'''

Today, much of the water from the springs flows into the Missouri River either directly or via the {{convert|200|ft|m|sing=on}}-long [[Roe River]], once one of the two shortest rivers in the world according to [[Guinness Book of World Records]]. Some of the spring water (less then .01% of the annual flow) is bottled annually for human consumption. Some of the discharge is also used to run the [[trout]] [[hatchery]], called the Giant Springs Trout Hatchery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/hatcheries/siteDetail.html?id=282375|title=Giant Springs Trout Hatchery |publisher=Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks|accessdate=May 5, 2012}}</ref>


[[File:Giant Springs07.JPG|thumb|Roe River flowing from Giant Springs]]
[[File:Giant Springs07.JPG|thumb|Roe River flowing from Giant Springs]]

'''Things to Do'''
Recreation opportunities are endless within the park, you can:fish, hunt, hike, bike, bird watch or just have a relaxing picnic under the trees. The fishing is phenomenal from Roe Island; you have the springs bubbling out into the Missouri on one side and the springs running down the Roe River on the other side.
If river fishing is not for you, there is the Family Fishing Pond with 5 docks for easy access and great fishing. If you are a hunter, there are acres of land that you can access, thanks to a conservation easement from Northwestern Energy. Hunting opportunities include waterfowl, upland game birds & deer. Just like some peace and quiet? Take a stroll down one of the miles of paved or dirt trails that provide beautiful views of the Missouri around every corner.


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Giant Springs State Park|<br />Giant Springs State Park|position=left}}
*[http://fwp.mt.gov/education/youth/lewisAndClark/visit/giantSprings.html Giant Springs State Park: State of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks]
*[http://stateparks.mt.gov/giant-springs/ State of Montana: Official '''Giant Springs State Park''' website]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDpJ3Z3EGoM Giant Springs 1, Great Falls,Montana : 8-25-2010]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Fb4rHxyZA Giant Springs 2, Great Falls,Montana : 8-25-2010]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDpJ3Z3EGoM Youtube: Giant Springs 1]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1VPoqnApik Giant Springs 3, Great Falls,Montana : 8-25-2010 ]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Fb4rHxyZA Youtube: Giant Springs 2]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1VPoqnApik Youtube: Giant Springs 3]


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{{Protected Areas of Montana}}
{{Protected Areas of Montana}}


[[Category:Landforms of Cascade County, Montana]]
[[Category:Springs of Montana]]
[[Category:Springs of Montana]]
[[Category:State parks of Montana]]
[[Category:State parks of Montana]]
[[Category:Great Falls, Montana]]
[[Category:Landforms of Cascade County, Montana]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Cascade County, Montana]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Cascade County, Montana]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Great Falls, Montana]]

Revision as of 22:15, 1 August 2023

Giant Springs
Big Spring, Wonderful Spring, Roe River, North Fork Roe River
Giant Springs
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMontana
DistrictCascade County
CityGreat Falls
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationMontana
MouthRoe River
 • location
Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana
 • elevation
3,314 ft (1,010 m)[1]
Length0.04 mi (0.064 km)
Discharge 
 • locationGiant Springs outlet[1]
 • average242 cu ft/s (6.9 m3/s)[1]

Giant Springs is a large first magnitude spring located near Great Falls, Montana and is the central feature of Giant Springs State Park. Its water has a constant temperature of 54 °F (12 °C) and originates from snowmelt in the Little Belt Mountains, 60 miles (97 km) away. According to chlorofluorocarbon dating, the water takes about 3,000 years[2] to travel underground before returning to the surface at the springs.

Giant Springs is formed by an opening in a part of the Madison aquifer, a vast aquifer underlying 5 U.S. States and 3 Canadian Provinces.[3] The conduit between the mountains and the spring is the geological stratum found in parts of the northwest United States called the Madison Limestone. Although some of the underground water from the Little Belt Mountains escapes to form Giant Springs, some stays underground and continues flowing, joining sources from losing streams in the Black Hills, Big Horn Mountains and other areas. The aquifer eventually surfaces in Canada. Giant Springs has an average discharge of 242 cubic feet (6.9 m3) of water per second or 150 million gallons per day.[1]

Rainbow trout in show pond of Giant Springs Fish Hatchery

The spring outlet is located in Giant Springs State Park, just downstream and northeast of Great Falls, Montana on the east bank of the Missouri River. Giant Springs was first described by Lewis and Clark during their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase in 1805. Before that, the Blackfeet people utilized the springs as an easy-to-access water source in the winter. The springs were mostly ignored by settlers until 1884 when the town of Great Falls was established and the springs became the place for Sunday recreational activities. In the mid-1970s the park was established as a Montana State Park.[4]

Today, some of the spring water is bottled annually for human consumption and some of the discharge is used for a trout hatchery. The hatchery is a Montana state trout hatchery named Giant Springs Trout Hatchery and raises mostly Rainbow Trout.[5] The spring serves as the headwaters of the 200-foot (61 m)-long Roe River, once listed as the shortest river in the world according to Guinness Book of World Records. The river flows into the Missouri River which is near the spring and borders its state park.

Roe River flowing from Giant Springs

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Giant Springs". Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  2. ^ "Giant Springs Heritage State Park, a Montana State Park located near Great Falls". www.stateparks.com. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  3. ^ "Madison Aquifer". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  4. ^ http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/HTML/articles/2005/GiantSprings.htm
  5. ^ "Giant Springs Trout Hatchery". Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Retrieved May 5, 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Giant Springs State Park.

47°32′03″N 111°13′48″W / 47.53417°N 111.23000°W / 47.53417; -111.23000

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