Mammoth Springs - Arkansas - Natural Springs on Waymarking.com

Copied from the State Park Website: ("http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/images/pdfs/MAMMSPRG-05.pdf" target="_blank">visit link)
MAMMOTH SPRING STATE PARK
THE SPRING
Mammoth Spring State Park is situated in the rockand-
forest-covered Ozark Mountains of north central
Arkansas. It bears the name of the world-famous
natural spring which originates within the park’s
boundaries. Mammoth Spring flows at an average rate
of 9.78 million gallons per hour with a constant water
temperature of 58° Fahrenheit.

Local folklore includes the tale of an Indian chief
whose son died while searching for water during a
drought. While digging his son’s grave, a giant stream
of water gushed forth. The chief believed this spring
would flow forever because his son had died searching
for water.

Actually, the main source for the spring’s water
comes from rainfall over the high plains of southern
Missouri. The water seeps into the underground water
table and flows along a vast system of interconnected
cavities. Eventually, it converges into a main channel
and emerges as Mammoth Spring.

Part of this underground “river” system can be seen
in one of Missouri’s state parks, Grand Gulf - only 9
miles northwest of Mammoth Spring. This collapsed
cave has left a spectacular, steep-walled, 130-foot
chasm. The surviving cavern roof forms a natural
bridge 250 feet long. During wet weather, a creek
flows down the chasm and through the cave. Dye tests
have proven that this water drains into the underground
river and emerges at Mammoth Spring.

The actual spring cannot be seen at Mammoth Spring
because it emerges more than 80 feet below the water
level of the spring pool. This water forms the scenic
Spring River, one of Arkansas’ most popular trout
rivers. In addition to the rainbow trout found in its
upper stretches and the walleye and bass in its lower
reaches, the Spring River is rated one of the state’s best
float streams. White-water shoals and rushing falls
challenge the canoeist from its origins to Williford 31
miles away. The constant water flow from the spring
makes it a good float stream year-round.

Public or Private Land?: Public Public Land Fees?: 0 Private Land access?: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Please post an original picture of the springs no GPS necessary along with your observations of the spring. What wildlife you saw if any and the condition of the springs. Water level was high, low. The area was clean, trashy ect. Any other knowledge or experiences you have had with this paticular spring that would help document it's history.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   10/16/2023 twoodso visited it 04/08/2014 iconions visited it 09/15/2012 ornith visited it 11/08/2008 Queens Blessing visited it

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