Mare's Egg Spring - Klamath County, OR
N 42° 39.632 W 122° 05.295
10T E 574723 N 4723521
This natural spring located right off West Side Rd holds a secret treasure: it is home to a very rare type of fresh-water algae called 'mare's eggs' for which this spring bears its name.
Waymark Code: WMJ4TP
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 09/23/2013
Views: 6
The majority of travelers along West Side Rd north of Rocky Point won't even notice a natural spring located just off West Side Rd which contains beautiful views of crystal-clear water as well as holding a rare and natural secret. This spring is home to a very rare type of fresh-water algae called mare's eggs that only grow in a few places in the world. And to think 99.9% of travelers zoom by this spring on their way to wherever, not even realizing what beauty awaits if they were to pause for a few minutes and take in the scenery here. I didn't even realize this spring existed here until I saw it on a topography map (screenshot attached). There are dozens of natural springs which appear on a topography map all over this area. This particular spring is more special than most.
On a sunny day, you can see the vibrant blue shades of water at this spring as well as notice the dark green and grey bulbous masses of blobs that make up the mare's eggs. They grow in bunches, and this this algae has a scientific name it goes by: Nostoc pruniforme. I have personally found this algae in only one other place in Oregon: Spring Creek near Collier State Logging Museum and Park.
There is a small pull out that you can park and there is a small trail that leads right to the spring. If you look closely at the bottom of the spring in various spots, you can see the sandy-like surface percolating with spring water coming up. My included pictures should give you a pretty good idea of what you'll see when you visit. You won't be disappointed!