How do springs form

Skip to Main Content. Loading Close. Do Not Show Again Close. What is a Spring? Inventory of Springs The District has conducted an inventory of many of the springs throughout the region. In this respect, it is useful to think of a spring as a naturally occurring well. In a well, one must dig into the ground to reach the aquifer and tap the water supply. In springs, those conditions are already present and on the surface.

Some springs only flow during particular times of year. For example, an aquifer that is highly reliant on seasonal rainfall or snow-melt to feed it may not be able to sustain a spring all year around. There would still be water in the aquifer, but not enough to sustain the outflow of the spring. Flow only during certain times of the year when rainfall or snowmelt is sufficient to recharge the soil and groundwater. Are most commonly associated with limestone channels and cavern, and volcanic lava tubes.

Cavities or tubes may range from microscopic in size to large openings measuring many tens of feet across. Large tubular springs in some parts of the United States flow over a million gallons per minute. The large springs of southeastern Minnesota are tubular springs. Are formed when groundwater slowly seeps out of the ground.

Seepage springs usually occur in sand, gravel, or organic materials and generally are found in depressions or valley bottoms. Seepage springs are different from artesian springs because they are not necessarily confined contained below a dense layer of clay or other material and usually have low flows.

Are springs that release groundwater warmer in temperature than groundwater in the surrounding watershed area. Examples of thermal springs are warm springs, hot springs, mudpots, and geysers such as those at Yellowstone National Park. Thermal springs are most commonly found in areas with a recent history of volcanic activity. Springs are often confused with flowing artesian wells. An artesian well is a hole or boring that has been drilled into a water-bearing formation or "aquifer" that is under pressure.

The water in an artesian well rises above the top of the aquifer water-bearing formation until the pressure is equalized. In a flowing artesian well, the water rises above the ground surface and the water flows out of the well casing to equalize the pressure. Usually not. Water quality from springs may vary from year to year and even minute to minute.

Coliform bacteria indicate the possible presence of disease-causing organisms. Elevated nitrate-nitrogen levels typically result from sewage, animal wastes, or nitrogen fertilizers. Water samples were collected statewide from springs at various times of the year.