Utah's popular 'soda-pop geyser' is fizzling out

[accadacca]

GREEN RIVER, Emery County

[Scott P]

The only geyser in North America that operates on cold water is pretty much a fizzle these days.

This is not the only one. There are also the Chaffin and Woodside Geysers as well, which are in the same region. There were formerly ones in the San Rafael Swell and along the Little Colorado River as well.

[rockgremlin]

This is not the only one. There are also the Chaffin and Woodside Geysers as well, which are in the same region. There were formerly ones in the San Rafael Swell and along the Little Colorado River as well.

I like how Scott is almost consistently the most well informed on almost all topics out of doors....and willing to share in an even keeled manner. Seriously I appreciate that, keep it up Scott.

[johncall]

better than Yellowstone?

[BruteForce]

I've been to this geyser at least 5 times in the last year and have yet to see it erupt. How are they getting rocks inside? There's a metal tube with a grate at the top that should prevent rocks being tossed inside. Damned shame.. damned shame..

[Scott P]

better than Yellowstone?

In a way, yes. At Yellowstone, you have to view the geysers from a distance. With cold water geysers, you can get up really close while they are erupting and even feel the shooting water. I like the cold water geysers because you can get really close.

I've been to this geyser at least 5 times in the last year and have yet to see it erupt.

If you want to see a cold water geyser erupt, go to the Chaffin Geyser and camp there. If you camp there, you are guaranteed and eruption. The Chaffin Geyser is south of Green River, but on the west side of the river. It's right by the San Rafael River Bridge.

[Udink]

There were formerly ones in the San Rafael Swell

Where in the Swell?

[Scott P]

Where in the Swell?

It's at the ZCMI mine, but the geyser is extinct (you can read about it in history books and Kesley's book). There is also an extinct one in Tenmile Canyon on the east side of the Green River I forgot to mention.

The only cold water geysers in the area that I know of that are still active are Crystal, Chaffin, and Woodside. The one at Woodside isn't as impressive as it used to be, though it still erupts.

Old photo:



More recent:



If Crystal fizzles out, Chaffin (you have already been there) will be the most impressive one left, even though it is much smaller than Crystal.