Page 82 - 1915, Springs of CA.

78 SPRINGS OF CALIFORNIA.
FRESNO HOT SPRINGS (FRESNO 9).
Fresno Hot Springs are situated on a branch of Waltham Creek, in
the hills of the west side of San Joaquin Valley. Several small warm
springs issue along the west side of the canyon, from beds of shale and
sandstone, which are the principal rocks of this region.
The springs have long been known and were early improved as a
resort. A new bathhouse was built in 1904 and other improvements
have been made, so that in 1908 there were accommodations for about
200 people. It is said that the water was formerly warmer, but during
recent years it has become necessary to heat it for the baths. The
springs are distinctly sulphureted, as would be expected of water ris-
ing through shales, but they are not otherwise of notably mineralized
character. Some crushing and faulting has possibly taken place in
this locality and has furnished a point of escape for the springs, but
their relatively small flow and temperatures that are not especially
notable render them of no great geologic interest.
MERCEY HOT SPRINGS (FRESNO 8).
Mercey Hot Springs rise near the extreme western edge of Fresno
County, among the barren hills that border San Joaquin Valley. The
main spring has been excavated to form a reservoir, is lined with con-
crete, and is housed. It yields warm water of a peculiar "soft"taste.
The following analysis has been published:
Analysis of water from main spring, Mercey Hot Springs, Fresno County, Cal.
[Analyst, Marvin Curtis. Authority, advertising matter. Constituents are in parts per million.]
Properties of reaction:
94
3
0
0
3
Tertiary alkalinity. ............................................................. 6
«
By Reacting
Constituents.
weight. values.
Sodium (Na).. ...................................................................... 808 35.12
Potassium (K)...................................................................... 5.9 .15
Lithium QA).....i. .................................................................
Barium (Ba) and strontium (Sr) .................................................... Trace. Trace.
40 1.98
Magnesium (Mg)... ................................................................. 4.5 .37
Trace.
Sulphate (S0<).. .................................................................... 12 .25
Chloride (01)........... ............................................................. 1,278 36.03
Carbonate (CO3). ................................................................... 36 1.19
Metaborate(BOj).... ............................................................... 2:0 .05
Phosphate (PO4).. .................................................................. .4 .15
Silica (SiO*).... ..................................................................... 70 2.32
2,256.8
This water is essentially a solution of common salt with minor im-
purities. Bubbles of gas rise in the spring and the water there has a
faint sulphureted odor, but at the baths, 85 yards away, it has lost
this odor.