X
GO

Water School

What is a spring?

A spring is a place where groundwater flows naturally from the Earth’s surface. 

There are two types: gravity springs and non-gravity springs. 

Gravity springs can be depression spring, surface springs, or artesian springs. 

  • Depression springs: form when a water table intersects with the ground surface, and the water overflows. A water table is an underground boundary of soil saturation. These types of springs vary depending on the raising and lowering of the water table. 
  • Surface springs: form when a formation that has absorbed water is on top of an unabsorbent formation that meets the ground surface. This water source is relatively smaller than the other examples.
  • Artesian springs: form when there is a release of pressured water that has been trapped in an aquifer. This release of pressure can happen from an opening in the ground that connects to the water table. The water is pushed out from the pressure on the rocks. This natural water flow has been a helpful tool for humans to use when tapping the Earth’s groundwater. Artesian springs are also known to provide large amounts of water.

Non-gravity springs include volcanic springs. Also known as hot or warm springs, they have mineral and sulfur content. These springs are thermal and are much hotter than normal groundwater. Tourists from all over flock to take a dip in nature’s heated pools, often because of the folklore of health benefits. Since the water is heated, it can hold more dissolved solids. This high mineral water is used regularly as a form of therapy or rehabilitation as the hotter water can boost blood circulation, reduce stress, and relieve aches and pains.

Although spring water can come from many sources, spring water itself can be dangerous to drink without proper purification. Spring water can contain contaminants such as metals, nitrates, chlorine, and other chemicals. 

Return to Water School to learn more about water!

Sources:
Springs and the Water Cycle | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Springs - Subsurface Source of Water | Water Supply Engineering
The health benefits of hot springs | MiNDFOOD

Related

Share

Search
Categories

The information provided on this site is intended as background on water within the Brazos River basin. There should be no expectation that this information is all encompassing, complete or in any way examines every aspect of this very complex natural resource.

If you have questions about a post or would like additional information, please contact us or call 888-922-6272.

Tags
canoeing bay evaporation calcium planning infection estuary industrial hydrology groundwater drinking water agricultural watershed flood control lake riparian hydrologic cycle wetland oxygen basin subsidence district mgd recreation sludge reservoir water clarity spillway bottled water water cycle wildlife USGS map granbury ground water runoff water plants water rights hunting system gate gulf golden algae costs dissolved solids conservation canoe river fishing cfs flood pool potable governance E coli invasive plants mission well sediment treatment flood parasite supply pollutants chlorides drilling lake level tributary climate biosolids septic contract water code beneficial use lake levels channel E. coli pharmaceuticals effluent municipal minerals rain anaerobic TCEQ boating insurance authority depth solids environmental soil water use water quality aerobic gage subwatershed quality bed and banks filter consumption use mainstem wetlands fertilizer salt jobs precipitation reservoirs inland xeriscape main stem appropriation impound organic maps aquifer spring monitor golden algea dam sewage kayak lake acre-foot turbidity stream inundated fish kill PAM limestone water treatment medicine classification wastewater farming acre-feet brackish corps camping sanitation hydrilla algae hydropower drought meta tag permit allens creek reservoir clarity emergency use lawn industry smell streamflow volume speaker taste subsidence employment surface water dock measure fork rights electricity corps of engineers environment riverine electric companies contaminants water supply habitat gas chlorine releases possum kingdom landscaping direct re-use agriculture septic system storage streamflow water indirect re-use salinity Board legislation water planning watercourse marsh mitigation lakes