Boiling Springs

What is Boiling Springs?

Boiling Springs, or MA-KA YU-SO-TA, is one of the largest sand boil springs in the Midwest. It is the headwaters of Eagle Creek. The spring is named for the large ‘boils’ that erupt at irregular intervals from the main pool. The boiling action is not due to very hot water, as the name implies. Instead, ground water moving up through a crack in the bedrock is blocked by a layer of very fine sand that plugs the crack. Eventually, enough water pressure builds up to push the sand out of the way. The water erupts on the surface with a great gush, and it appears to be boiling.

The main pool is not the only spring on Eagle Creek. Water comes out of the ground for hundreds of feet upstream of the main pool, but these springs are much smaller and calm.

The water coming out of Boiling Springs is very old. Because it’s been underground so long, it has a lot of dissolved calcium and magnesium in it. That makes the water VERY hard. The water is approximately 50 ° Fahrenheit all year long, and the spring never freezes in the winter. The boiling action is irregular, but seems to diminish during the summer and fall. Boiling appears to be more active during the spring. More research is needed to better understand this fascinating spring.

Watch our short video of Boiling Springs.

Directions to Boiling Springs, from the SMSC:

• Take County Road 83 north to County Road 42; turn right onto County Road 42
• Take County Road 42 east to County Road 16; turn left onto County Road 16
• Take County Road 16 north to Eagle Creek Boulevard; turn right onto Eagle Creek Boulevard
• Take Eagle Creek Boulevard east to Independence Trail; turn left onto Independence Trail
• Take Independence Trail north to the bridge over Eagle Creek. Park along the west side of the road.
• Walk west along the nature trail (Eagle Creek will be on your right) until you come to Boiling Springs. The spring is well hidden, so keep your eye open for it.