WHAT'S THE NEWS? SALINE VALLEY’S LOWER SPRING GOES DRY...FOR NOW?

August 20, 2005 This article first appeared in the Pahrump Valley Times 09/09/05 from an anonymous source: http://www.death-valley.us/article1368.html. Photos furnished by SCNA members Marc and Sonya who have visited the Saline area many times over the past decade. The popular warm springs in Saline Valley have stopped flowing. Reports of the natural warm water spring drying up hit the park Aug. 12. The National Park Service site volunteer reported the incident and subsequent visits by park resource staff have confirmed that the flow of water has stopped.

The water will seek to reopen its pathway or will open a new one at some point in time. Reynolds said, "We can only wait for nature to take its course and return this spring to its normal volume. In the meantime, it is inappropriate to intervene in this natural event. We all need to wait on nature to take its course and return the spring flow. No efforts should be made to redirect the water flow from other springs or to build any new water containment structures."

The natural hot springs are considered a sacred site to the local Timbisha Shoshone Indian tribe (SEE REPLY BELOW). The area has also been a popular "soakers" hot spot for locals since the 1960s. Prior to the Park Service management of the area, groups of private individuals dug out pools around the springs to soak in. With time large concrete tubs or spas were built near the natural spring and the outflow water was piped into these manmade pools. Eventually palm trees and even a grassy lawn area were built near the pools. This little oasis has become one of the most sought after hot spots for those who seek out natural hot springs, and has been a well known – if well off the beaten path – destination for nudists for the past 50 years.

The Death Valley National Park General Management Plan calls for a site specific management plan to be developed that will direct any future development and resource management of the springs. This plan has not been drafted yet so current management calls for no additional manmade structures or improvements to existing structures or the alteration of the natural resources in and around the springs until the site plans are completed.

Visitors who are seeking the hot springs experience in Saline Valley can still do this. There is one other developed spring just a few hundred yards above the dry spring, but with fewer soaking tubs. Use of the upper springs and camping in the area will still be allowed. The park will not allow the alteration of the natural landscape or the building of structures to divert water to the dry soaking tubs. The Park Service will continue to monitor and document the condition of the spring and surrounding area. "Each natural event that occurs in the park gives us more clues to understanding the mysteries of this special place," explained Reynolds.

BEACHFRONT USA MEMBER RESPONDS TO THIS ARTICLE:

September 2005:

“This "sacred site" claim is a bunch of public relations B.S. put out by the Park Service to gain points with the Timbisha tribe in Death Valley, who laid claim to all of Death Valley National Park lands several years ago. The Park Service placated them by making them “stewards” of thousands of acres of land within the national park, and some of that land is in Saline Valley. The basis of the tribe’s claim (they are not the same Timbisha tribe presently occupying Death Valley) stems from and area abandoned by them nearly a century ago and sold off after a failed attempt to create a farming enterprise. Their “sacred site” relationship was non-existent for the past 150 years; it was only determined by archeologists studying artifacts centuries old.”

- Mike Urbanek of Beachfront USA.

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