Last updated: August 14, 2024
Article
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Restore Sulphur Springs
NPS Photo
When people think about New Mexico, they may first think of deserts; however, at Valles Caldera National Preserve, visitors will find an oasis of mountain meadows, conifer forests, and other geothermal features.
In 2019, the National Park Service purchased Sulphur Springs, adding 40 acres to Valles Caldera National Preserve. Sulphur Springs is currently open to hikers and cross-country skiers for visitation, but the site still retains the structure of an abandoned mine from the early 20th century. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds allocated to an ecosystem restoration project will change that, returning the site to its pre-disturbed landscape.
Sulphur Springs is made up of hot springs, sulfuric acid springs, fumaroles and mud pots, all within 50 meters of each other. “It’s a very unique place,” said Robert Parmenter, Valles Caldera National Preserve Science Division Chief. “The springs and geothermal features are found nowhere else in New Mexico, and similar sites are very rare in the western United States. We want visitors to be able to experience this exceptional landscape.” For example, visitors will be able to learn about the volcanic nature buried within the Jemez mountains. According to Parmenter, “the geothermal features show that this mountain range is a dormant volcano, not an extinct volcano”.
NPS Photo
Sulphur Springs was originally developed by the Otero family in 1902 as a mining operation to extract sulfur, an important ingredient in the manufacturing of gun powder. The supply was depleted within two years and the site was destroyed in the process of being mined. A series of hot springs spas were built on the site in the 20th century. In the latter part of the century, Los Alamos National Laboratory established an experimental geothermal well. More recently under private ownership, the site had been used as an informal campsite and abandoned structures and vehicles remain.
The goal of this project, which is nearing completion, is to restore Sulphur Springs to a naturally functioning ecosystem and to create opportunities for visitors to experience the unique features Sulphur Springs has to offer. “Sulphur Springs is a natural draw for tourists,” said David Krueger, Valles Caldera National Preserve Chief of Interpretation. “We can tell an interesting story because we have a geothermal feature and deep human history.”
The project will clean up the human debris and trash during summer 2023, with restoration actions underway in the fall. Visitors hiking or skiing into the site in 2024 will find a much more natural setting, while vegetation recovery will take several years. Future interpretation kiosks and trails are in the planning stage and will be implemented following site restoration.