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Scotts Bluff National MonumentAn interpretive talk at Scotts Bluff near the Murphy wagon. Photo by Jonathan S. Garcia.
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Scotts Bluff National Monument
Springs and Seeps

National Park Service photograph

Scotts Spring,

Scotts Spring is the only natural spring with the Monument. It was first recorded in pioneer diaries as a place to find clear drinking water as compared to the often muddy water of the North Platte River. Today the spring is easily visited, as it is located next to the Saddle Rock Trail and approximately one-half mile from the visitor center. The spring is very small and can be easily missed by visitors. Animals of the Monument use it as a source of drinking water. Their tracks can be seen in the mud or snow near the spring.

To the north of the Gering Irrigation District’s canal is an area with a few seeps. These seeps are not located on any map, because they are small and very little water flows from them. The seeps do produce lush vegetation, which appears out of place in the badlands area of the Monument. These very small seeps appear to be associated with the district’s canal as soil drilling has revealed saturated soil below the level of the canal’s water for at least fifty feet. The seeps do flow year around.

Historic photo of construction on one of the vehicular tunnels on the summit road at Scotts Bluff National Monument  

Did You Know?
The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) built nearly every structure at the Scotts Bluff National Monument in the 1930's - the summit road, Saddle Rock Trail, the visitor center, the maintenance barn, and a residence now used for administration.
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Last Updated: August 02, 2006 at 13:14 EST