Stop 11: Scotts Spring

Scotts Spring is the only natural spring at Scotts Bluff National Monument.

NPS/Eric Grunwald

Quick Facts

Location:

41.832109, -103.698832

Amenities

1 listed

Scenic View/Photo Spot

The last stop on our tour is Scotts Spring. Scotts Spring is the only natural spring located in Scotts Bluff National Monument and issues from cracks within Whitney Member siltstones. Scotts Spring is typical for a spring that discharges from siltstone in that it discharges little water and is located in an area of structural weakness. Despite the fact that little water is discharged here, the spring is an important source of drinking water for the animals that call Scotts Bluff home and the vegetation found here includes species of plants that are typically found in wetter environments, like willows. 

We hope that you enjoyed your walk through geolgic history here at Scotts Bluff National Monument. In a way, you have walked back in time. Starting at the Monroe Creek-Harrison Formations that were depositied up to around 25 million years ago, you then walked down into the older Gering Formation which is up to 28 million years old. Finally you made your way down into the Whitney Member, which is roughly 30 million years old. While these ages make geology feel like something that shaped the monument in the past, remember that these geologic changes are still happening today. For that reason, we hope you will return to the Monument in the future to see how geologic processes have changed this special place. 

• Scotts Bluff Geology

  
  

  Stop 3 on the Scotts Bluff National Monument Saddle Rock Trail Audio Tour

  Credit / Author:

  Audio recording by Ray Richards

  Date created:

  07/22/2024

  Audio Transcript

  Geologists say the creation of this land is millions of years in the making.   An ancient inland sea, referred to as the Western Interior Seaway, once covered this region and began to recede about 65 million years ago.  At the same time as the ancient sea’s recession, major uplifting occurred creating the modern Rocky Mountains.  This uplifting would continue sporadically until recent geologic time.  The Rocky Mountains would supply much of the material needed to create the Great Plains. 

  Deposits of sand and mud from wind and streams created the layers of sandstone and siltstone you see at the base of the bluffs.  Wind deposits of volcanic ash are seen represented in layers further up the bluff in contrasting colors.   Supersaturated groundwater rich in calcium carbonates formed the limestone layers near the very top of the bluff; these limestone deposits act as a hard cap rock for the softer sandstone and siltstone below it.  We’ll have a closer look at these various layers as we move along the trail. 

  Before we move on, take a look at the groundwater spring next to the trail. Did you notice there is a lot more vegetation here than across the prairie?  Scotts Spring is the only natural spring within the Monument that provides much coveted water to animals and plant life alike. 

  This spring represents a connection to the ancient past through water related geologic depositions and erosion.  It also represents a connection with the more recent past of the emigrant traveler.  This spring 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.  Many families would use the Scotts Bluff area as an overnight location and were very thankful for clear, clean drinking water. 

  As you move towards stop number four, you’ll notice that you are beginning to climb the fanned base of the bluff.  Take your time and watch as the sandstone and the siltstone base begins to change slightly as you climb in elevation.