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Special Report on Mineral Waters (1902)

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Part II--The Mineral Waters of Kansas, Arranged and Classified, with Analyses, continued

Chapter XVIII--Soft-water Group

These are called by some "indifferent" and by others "neutral" waters. Some of these contain even less than a grain of solid matter to the gallon. They are frequently of great value as therapeutic agents, especially for persons who have been accustomed to drinking hard waters. As stated, in the chapter on therapeutics, often the most important thing about these waters is that they contain so few mineral ingredients.

A good example of this class of waters is that of Pfeffer's Springs, where Martin Luther is said to have spent considerable time, and where he was cured of hypochondriasis. The waters of Wildbad, in Wurtemburg, are of this class. These, we know from Roman remains that have been found in the vicinity, were used even as early as the time of the Caesars.

One reason why such waters are of value in diseases like constipation is, that the patient is induced to drink very large quantities of water, and this not only renders the contents of the Intestines more fluid, but it helps to wash out the body. If the patient was not so situated that. his attention was directed to the drinking of water, he would not use a sufficient quantity.

The diuretic action of large quantities of water is well established. It also increases the quantity of urea, phosphates, chlorids and sulfates that are discharged. If large quantities of water are taken, the temperature of the body falls, and the number of pulsations of the heart and of the inspirations are diminished.

This group is represented by the following waters:

Atchison, Parker's Spring

About two miles west of the city of Atchison, on the farm of J. W. Parker, is a fine spring that has been known for many years. It supplies the farm with an abundance of water.

Parker's Spring
Grams per liter
Ions   Radicals
Sodium (Na) trace   Sodium oxid (Na2O) trace
Potassium (K) .0056   Potassium oxid (K2O) .0067
Calcium (Ca) .0212   Calcium oxid (CaO) .0297
Magnesium (Mg) .0036   Magnesium oxid (MgO) .0060
Iron (Fe) .0009   Iron oxid (FeO) .0012
Aluminum (Al) .0017   Aluminum oxid (Al2O3) .0032
Nitric acid ion (NO3) .0175   Nitric anhydrid (N2O5) .0152
Chlorin (Cl) .0063   Chlorin (Cl) .0063
Sulfuric acid ion (SO4) .0053   Sulfuric anhydrid (SO3) .0044
Phosphoric acid ion (PO4) trace   Phosphoric anhydrid (P2)O6) trace
Silicic acid ion (SiO3) .0253   Silica (SiO2) .0200
    Water (H2O) .0104
    Carbonic anhydrid (CO2) .0508
    Oxygen equivalent .0014
  Total .1525

Hypothetically combined as follows:

  Grams
per liter		 Grains
per gallon
Potassium nitrate (KNO3) .0144 .8398
Calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) .0115 .6686
Calcium bicarbonate (CaH2(CO3)2) .0745 4.3470
Magnesium bicarbonate (MgH2(CO3)2) .0147 .8584
Magnesium chlorid (MgCl2) .0047 .2727
Iron bicarbonate (FeH2(CO3)2) .0029 .1730
Aluminum chlorid (AlCl3) .0035 .2030
Aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) .0063 .3657
Silica (SiO2) .0200 1.1666
Totals .1525 8.8948
Temperature 16.6° C. (62° F.)
Analysis by E. B. Knerr.

Brookville Spring No. 1

A remarkably pure water from about seven miles west of Brookville has been examined. It is clear, colorless, and of an agreeable taste. It contains only 8.097 grains of solid matter per gallon, which consists of calcium bicarbonate, calcium sulfate, sodium chlorid, with traces of silica, alumina, and magnesium bicarbonate.

Another water from Brookville, which was examined in June, 1887, contains only 3.48 grains per gallon of mineral matter. This consists quite largely of silica, with small quantities of iron and aluminum, and traces of calcium and magnesium bicarbonate, sodium chlorid, and sodium nitrate. This water is remarkably free from mineral. matter, and is in fact one of the purest waters so far noticed in the state. As will be seen, it contains no more mineral matter than waters from the granite and sandstone ledges of the extreme Eastern states.

California Spring, Norwood, Franklin County

This spring is on the farm of E. W. Hume, four miles northwest of Ottawa. It is pleasantly situated on the southern slope of the broad valley of the Marais des Cygnes. The flow is 450 gallons per hour. The California spring is said to have derived its name from its situation on one of the numerous trails leading across the state to the mountains and to California. On the unbroken prairie in the vicinity may still be seen numerous well-marked trails, all converging towards this bountiful water-supply. A few barrels of the water were shipped in 1902. That the water is of exceptional purity may be noticed from the analysis which follows:

California Spring
Grams per liter
Ions   Radicals
Sodium (Na) .0068   Sodium oxid (Na2O) .0092
Calcium (Ca) .0146   Calcium oxid (CaO) .0205
Magnesium (Mg) .0018   Magnesium oxid (MgO) .0031
Iron (Fe) .0004   Iron oxid (FeO) .0005
Chlorin (Cl) .0106   Chlorin (Cl) .0106
Sulfuric acid ion(SO4) 0074   Sulfuric anhydrid (SO3) .0062
Silicic acid ion (SiO3) .0238   Silicic anhydrid (SiO2) .0180
    Carbonic anhydrid (CO2) .0327
    Water (H2O) .0067
    Oxygen equivalent .0024
  Total .1051

Hypothetically combined as follows:

  Grams
per liter		 Grains
per gallon
Sodium chlorid (NaCl) .0174 1.018
Calcium sulfate (CaSO4) .0106 .618
Calcium bicarbonate (CaH2(CO3)2) .0466 2.721
Magnesium bicarbonate (MgH2(CO3)2) .0113 .661
Iron bicarbonate (FeH2(CO3)2) .0012 .071
Silica (SiO2) .0180 1.049
Totals .1051 6.138
Temperature 14.4° C. (58° F.)
Analysis by E. H. S. Bailey and D. F. McFarland.

Cave Spring

Northeast of Galena, and on the south side of the ridge near the south bank of Spring creek, is a never-failing spring that is of great advantage to the community. In fact, as the city water at Galena is taken from Shoal creek, which drains the mines of the vicinity, and consequently contains both lead and zinc, this spring furnishes one of the best waters that can be obtained for domestic purposes. The flow is at least 400 gallons per hour. The water is hauled to the city, during the summer especially, for a large number of regular customers. About a quarter of a mile south of this, on the other side of the ridge, is Gum spring, which is also utilized in the same way by the people in the vicinity. Galena is reached by the St. Louis & San Francisco system.

Cave Spring
Grams per liter
Ions   Radicals
Sodium (Na) .0025   Sodium oxid Na2O) .0034
Calcium (Ca) .0198   Calcium oxid (CaO) .0278
Magnesium (Mg) .0016   Magnesium oxid (MgO) .0026
Iron (Fe) .0028   Iron oxid (FeO) .0036
Chlorin (Cl) .0028   Chlorin (Cl) .0028
Sulfuric acid ion (SO4) .0344   Sulfuric anhydrid (SO3) .0287
Silicic acid ion (SiO3) .0227   Silicic anhydrid (SiO2) .0179
    Carbonic anhydrid (CO2) .0245
    Water (H2O) .0049
    Oxygen equivalent .0006
  Total .1156

Hypothetically combined as follows:

  Grams
per liter		 Grains
per gallon
Sodium chlorid (NaCl) .0046 .2684
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) .0028 .1634
Calcium sulfate (CaSO4) .0399 2.3321
Calcium bicarbonate (CaH2(CO3)2) .0328 1.9140
Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) .0087 .5081
Iron bicarbonate (FeH2(CO3)2) .0089 .5201
Silica (SiO2) .0179 1.0461
Totals .1156 6.7522
Temperature 15° C. (59° F.)
Analysis by E. H. S. Bailey and E. McCullom.

Plate 35--Cave Spring, Galena.

Black and white photo of Cave Spring, Galena.

Plate 35--Chico Spring, Galena.

Black and white photo of Chico Spring, Galena.

Chico Spring

The country in the vicinity of Galena is much diversified and well watered. A mile northwest of this city, in a wooded valley, is the so-called Chico spring. In the high water this spring is covered by the stream, but it ordinarily flows out of the gravel and into the creek. The flow is about 600 gallons an hour in the driest weather. This water contains traces of zinc.

Chico Spring
Grams per liter
Ions   Radicals
Sodium (Na) .0034   Sodium oxid (Na2O) .0046
Calcium (Ca) .0458   Calcium oxid (CaO) .0642
Magnesium (Mg) .0068   Magnesium oxid (MgO) .0113
Iron (Fe) .0027   Iron oxid (FeO) .0035
Chlorin (Cl) .0035   Chlorin (Cl) .0035
Sulfuric acid ion (SO4) .0650   Sulfuric anhydrid (SO3) .0544
Silicic acid ion (SiO3) .0177   Silicic anhydrid (SiO2) .0140
    Carbonic anhydrid (CO2) .0835
    Water (H2O) .0174
    Oxygen equivalent .0008
  Total .2556

Hypothetically combined as follows:

  Grams
per liter		 Grains
per gallon
Sodium chlorid (NaCl) .0058 .3384
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) .0041 .2392
Calcium sulphate (CaSO4) .0448 2.6215
Calcium bicarbonate (CaH2(CO3)2) .1443 8.4244
Magnesium (MgSO4) .0339 1.9810
Iron bicarbonate (FeH2(CO3)2) .0087 .5080
Silica (SiO2) .0140 .8170
Totals .2556 14.9295
Temperature 14.8° C. (58.6° F.)
Analysis by E. H. S. Bailey and E. McCullom

Kansas Clarus Spring, Batesville, Woodson County

For description, see chapter XVI.

Ions Grams per liter
Sodium (Na) .0315
Calcium (Ca) .0492
Magnesium (Mg) .0065
Iron (Fe) .0005
Chlorin (Cl) .0052
Sulfuric acid ion (SO4) .0080
Silicic acid ion (SiO3) .0085

Hypothetically combined as follows:

  Grams
per liter		 Grains
per gallon
Sodium chlorid (NaCl) .0087 .510
Sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) .0119 .695
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) .0894 5.210
Calcium bicarbonate (CaH2(CO3)2) .1990 11.605
Magnesium bicarbonate (MgH2(CO3)2) .0397 2.320
Iron bicarbonate (FeH2(CO3)2) .0018 .105
Silica (SiO2) .0067 .392
Organic matter slight trace slight trace
Totals .3572 20.837
Temperature 20° C. (68° F.)
Analysis by Church and Lovewell.

Conway Springs, Sumner County

There were originally seven springs in use in this locality, all within a radius of fifty feet, but the use of all but two has been discontinued. One of these flows at the rate of one gallon per minute, with a temperature of 13.8°C. (67° F.), and the other at the rate of one and one-half gallons per minute, with a temperature of 14.4°0. (78°F.) These springs are encased with twenty-four-inch tiling, and are situated in a pavilion about twenty feet square.

They are located in a five-acre park of Russian mulberry and catalpa trees, and there is a lake, covering perhaps half an acre, below the springs.

The water has been used medicinally for years, and much of it is used: in the surrounding county as a table water, but very little has been shipped away. Conway Springs is at a crossing of two lines of the Missouri Pacific railroad.

Conway Springs
Grams per liter
Ions   Radicals
Sodium (Na) .0038   Sodium oxid (Na2O) .0050
Potassium (K) .0010   Potassium oxid (KsO) .0012
Calcium (Ca) .0102   Calcium oxid (CaO) .0143
Magnesium (Mg) .0022   Magnesium oxid (MgO) .0037
Iron (Fe) .0012   Iron oxid (FeO) .0016
Chlorin (Cl) .0036   Chlorin (Cl) .0036
Sulfuric acid ion (SO4) .0024   Sulfuric anhydrid (SO3) .0020
Phosphoric acid ion (PO4) .0090   Phosphoric anhydrid (P2O5) .0067
Silica acid ion (SiO3) .0108   Silicic anhydrid (SiO2) .0086
    Carbonic anhydrid (CO2) .0129
  Total .0596
Analysis by G. H. Failyer.

This is a remarkably pure water, and contains only 3.48 grains of mineral matter to the gallon.

Plate 36--Conway Springs.

Black and white photo of Conway Springs.

Plate 36--Delaware Spring.

Black and white photo of Delaware Spring.

Delaware Springs

Extending along the western edge of Wilson county and the eastern edge of Elk county is a range of the Chautauqua hills =--bluffs composed of shales and sandstones, and generally covered with scrubby growths of black-jack oak. The sandstones, which are of varying thickness, are composed of coarse grains of sand, loosely cemented, and often occur quite free from iron, as indicated by the white color of the weathered portions. Where such beds can be found of considerable thickness and extent they serve as natural filters and reservoirs, which supply exceptionally pure water to the wells that may be sunk into them and to the many springs that occur in the ravines cutting down through them. This condition exists in typical form about ten miles northwest of Fredonia, in Wilson county, at what is known as the Delaware spring. The hill upon which the spring occurs is about two miles in length from north to south, and from one to two miles in width. At its northern end the hill terminates in a rocky cliff, showing an exposure of perhaps sixty feet of white sandstone. Three-fourths of a mile south of this a ravine runs to the west, and almost at its very head, and upon its northern slope, the spring appears from a fissure in the sandstone. The flow is not great, but is constant throughout the year, at the rate of a gallon in thirty-five seconds. The water is exceptionally pure, clear, and colorless, and possesses the peculiar but not unpleasant taste that characterizes the finest cistern water.

Two or three other springs appear within a few yards of the one described, but nearer the head of the ravine. One of these, though said by the people of the place to produce "softer" water than that from the Delaware spring, yet contains a large quantity of iron, as evidenced by the heavy brown deposit of ferric hydroxide which coats its channel. The springs have been known for the fine quality of their water ever since the settlement of the country. The Delaware Indians are said to have valued them highly, and catch-basins cut in the sloping face of the sandstone, below the springs, are still shown, which are the reputed work of these people. The water was first used for medicinal purposes about 1893, and has been more or less in demand ever since. Some remarkable cures of kidney and stomach troubles are reported to have followed its use. The place has become a resort for people wanting an outing of a few days, and perhaps a half-dozen families make their summer camps under the black oaks in the neighborhood. It is also becoming a popular place for holding camp-meetings, Fourth of July celebrations, and old soldiers' reunions. Stella, the nearest post office to the Delaware springs, may be reached by a drive of ten miles from Fredonia, the county-seat of Wilson county. The latter town is at the crossing of the A. T. & S. F., the M. P. and the St. L. & S. F. railroads.

Delaware Springs
Grams per liter
Ions   Radicals
Sodium (Na) .0099   Sodium oxid (Na2O) .0134
Potassium (K) .0055   Potassium oxid (K2O) .0067
Calcium (Ca) .0124   Calcium oxid (CaO) .0143
Magnesium (Mg) .0067   Magnesium oxid (MgO) .0111
Iron (Fe) .0019   Iron oxid (FeO) .0025
Chlorin (Cl) .0154   Chlorin (Cl) .0154
Sulfuric acid ion (SO4) .0130   Sulfuric anhydrid (SO3) .0109
Nitric acid ion (NO3) .0089   Nitric anhydrid (N2O5) .0077
Silicic acid ion (SiO3) .0219   Silica (SiO2) .0173
    Water (H2O) .0077
    Carbonic anhydrid (CO2) .0381
    Oxygen equivalent .0034
  Total .1417

Hypothetically combined as follows:

  Grams
per liter		 Grains
per gallon
Sodium chlorid (NaCl) .0254 1.4836
Potassium nitrate (KNO3) .0144 .8411
Calcium sulfate (CaSO4) .0185 1.0805
Calcium bicarbonate (CaH2(CO3)2) .0194 1.1332
Magnesium bicarbonate (MgH2(CO3)2) .0405 2.3656
Iron bicarbonate (FeH2(CO3)2) .0062 .3621
Silicate (SiO2) .0173 1.0104
Totals .1417 8.2766
Analysis by E. H. S. Bailey and O. F. Stafford.

Linwood Spring

On the north side of the Kaw river, about ten miles east of Lawrence and a short distance west of Linwood, in the vicinity of the sandstone outcroppings, is a clear, cold spring of pure water upon the McCarrol place. This water contains 9~9 grains of mineral matter to the gallon, which consists of silica, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, sodium chlorid, with traces of magnesium carbonate. This is another good example of a "soft" water.

Sand Springs, Dickinson County

These springs are situated near the Smoky Hill river, between two and three miles west of Abilene. The water is utilized as the city supply of Abilene, and is used, on account of its purity, on the dining-cars of the Union Pacific railroad. It is one of the very best city supplies in the state. On evaporation the water leaves only 8.152 grains of mineral matter per gallon. This consists essentially of calcium and magnesium carbonates, calcium sulfate, and sodium chlorid. The specific gravity of the water is 1.001. The water is used in large quantities by the Sand Springs Bottling Works in the manufacture of soda water.

Comparison of Similar Waters

The amount of mineral matter contained in some of the so-called "soft" waters of the world is noted below. In the Appalachian and Green Mountain regions of the United States, where the rocks are granite or sandstone, and where there is frequently very little soil through which the water can percolate, the purest waters are found.

  Grains per gallon
Sheep Rock, Lowell, Mass., artesian well, bored in granite .81
Paradise spring, Brunswick, Me. .99
Pownal spring, West Pownal, Me. 1.15
Pure spring, Cresson, Pa. 1.26
Pavilion spring, Wernersville, Pa. 1.98
Holly spring, Woonsocket, R. I. 2.50
Lechauweki spring, Bethlehem, Pa. 3.57
Poland spring, South Poland, Me. 3.76
Jordan, chalybeate, Rockbridge county, Virginia. 6.45
Tunbridge Wells, England 7.61
Bareges, France 10.32
Silurian spring, Waukesha, Wis. 18.69
Schlangerbad, Germany 20.46
Aix-les-Bains, France 25.07
Kansas Waters
Conway Springs 3.41   Delaware springs 8.27
Brookville No. 2* 3.84   Parker's 8.89
California 6.13   Linwood* 9.90
Cave spring 6.75   Chico spring 14.92
Brookville No. 1* 8.09   Kansas Clarus 20.83
Sand springs* 8.15      
* Carbon dioxid to form bicarbonates is not included.

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Kansas Geological Survey, Geology
Placed on web April 7, 2017; originally published 1902.
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